Are there any public parks with sunny open areas? Or bike paths that go through woods or fields? Often there are wonderful spots along country roads where plants are growing in the ditches along the fields of crops, assuming they haven't been sprayed with pesticides. See if there is a gardening interest group that might have members who'd like to show you their gardens. If it were me, I'd go for a dire in the country and when I find a likely spot, knock on the door and ask if they'd mind if you wandered in their fields looking for butterflies to raise. They might even let you dig up a plant that has eggs or cats on it, or at least take a generous cutting. Sorry I'm not familiar with your specific area, but I hope I've given you some ideas.

Martha

I go to Wildlife Management Areas and Nature Conservancy Lands. The WMAs plant crops that benefit wildlife. I don't collect anything on NC lands, as there is a rule against it. But, I've collected caterpillars at WMAs, and Monarch eggs. Our state has lots of WMA land. This week I found coneflowers in bloom all over the area where I like to visit. And there were Goatweed Leafwing caterpillars on the Wooly Croton. I found my one and only Red Spotted Purple caterpillar there several years ago. HTHs