Mission Monarch

Migration Celebration

Monarch butterflies are on the wing migrating through Indiana and on to their overwintering grounds in central Mexico. Celebrate this fascinating insect at the nature center. Enjoy a Mariachi band that adds the Mexican culture of celebration, The Day of the Dead, which includes the monarchs as an important symbol. 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. 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.

Date: Saturday, September 21
Time: 11:00 am – 3:00 pm
Ages: All
Cost: Free
Location: Cool Creek Nature Center
Pre-registration: Not Required

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!
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