Hamilton County Parks is on a mission to help monarchs. Join Cool Creek Nature Center in learning about monarchs and actively helping them! Did you know monarch butterflies make one of the longest migrations of any insect species, flying over 3000 miles from North America to very specific forests in the mountains of Mexico? Monarch butterfly populations steeply declined over the last decades because of loss of habitat for native plants, expanded use of pesticides and reductions in their overwintering grounds. We can all help by planting milkweed – the only plant that monarch caterpillars eat! Protect them by restricting use of pesticides in your yard and garden. Our efforts will not only help monarchs but are beneficial to many native insects, birds and animals. You can pick up Common Milkweed seeds for free at the nature center!

Migration Celebration 2018

Monarch butterflies are on the wing migrating through Indiana and on to their overwintering grounds in Mexico. Celebrate this fascinating insect at the nature center. Enjoy a Mariachi band that brings the festivities of Mexico to Indiana. Take home a milkweed plant to provide food for next year’s caterpillars. There will be music, crafts, games for kids, face painting and a bounce house. Learn about citizen science opportunities, butterfly tagging, and how to become a certified waystation. If all goes as planned, we will have the opportunity to release monarch butterflies! Stay for lunch served from a local food truck.

3:00 pm: A special speaker will discuss the needs of monarchs, other butterflies and pollinators. Learn what to plant to attract these beautiful insects. Hear a firsthand experience of a visit to the monarchs' overwintering location in Mexico.

Date: Saturday, September 22
Time: 11:00 am to 4:00 pm
Ages: All ages
Cost: Free
Location: CCNC
Pre-registration: Not Required

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