Rare butterfly species find an unexpected sanctuary beside the Monarch Hill Landfill in northwest Broward County
Coconut Creek, Florida – Just a stone’s throw from one of South Florida’s most debated environmental battlegrounds, a surprising patch of beauty and biodiversity is quietly taking root. Alongside the controversial Monarch Hill Landfill, a vibrant pollinator garden is blossoming — and it’s drawing in not only butterflies by the thousands, but also admiration from conservationists and curious residents.
Tucked beside the landfill in northwest Broward County, just past the city line of Coconut Creek — proudly known as the “Butterfly Capital of the World” — the garden now plays host to 24 butterfly species and counting, including five rare ones. The existence of such a habitat so close to a landfill has raised eyebrows, especially given the landfill’s long history of disputes with the neighboring city. But what began as an incidental discovery has evolved into a deeply purposeful effort.
“It all started sort of by accident,” said Monica Mejia, an environmental protection specialist with Waste Management, which owns and operates Monarch Hill. Mejia now leads the company’s Monarch Hill Wildlife Habitat Council and has been central to transforming the area into an unexpected haven for pollinators.
Years ago, during a routine site visit, a representative from the U.S. Department of Agriculture — who also happened to be a member of the local chapter of the North American Butterfly Association — noticed an unusual number of butterflies fluttering around the landfill grounds. That chance observation led to the first official butterfly count at the site in May 2021. Volunteers recorded 17 species, including two rare ones.
Since then, the project has taken flight. As part of Earth Day activities in 2022, volunteers planted over 250 native species around the landfill entrance. That effort created a 3,500-square-foot landscaped habitat, now recognized as a pollinator garden. The following months saw the addition of four bat houses and the formation of a dedicated volunteer group — often made up of employees and their families — who spend their weekends and evenings weeding, mulching, and caring for the plants.
The results have been remarkable. Mejia reports that as of the latest butterfly count, a total of 46 species have been identified on-site. “This is more than a place to safely dispose of trash,” she said. “We have a rich environment around, and in an urban area, you don’t have too many spaces like these.”
The Monarch Hill garden’s success hasn’t gone unnoticed. It was recently re-certified by the Wildlife Habitat Council, a nonprofit organization that promotes habitat conservation and environmental education efforts on corporate lands. “It’s a significant accomplishment,” said company spokesperson Dawn McCormick. “The council’s certification reflects the dedication of our team and the potential for industry and nature to coexist.”
Beyond conservation, the garden is now a teaching tool. Waste Management has hosted school groups and local organizations, offering a chance for students to observe pollinators up close, learn about species identification, and understand the full life cycle of butterflies.
The juxtaposition of a flourishing butterfly garden and an active landfill remains striking — a contrast between what many consider a symbol of waste and a fragile but thriving ecosystem. Yet, for the volunteers who tend the garden and the environmentalists who monitor it, the site offers hope.
While Coconut Creek’s battle against the landfill continues in other arenas, this unexpected corner of collaboration between humans and nature continues to grow.
For Mejia and the other volunteers, it’s a reminder of what’s possible. “Sometimes, the most unlikely places can give rise to something beautiful,” she said.
