The Lakeside Nature Center and Galesburg Parks and Recreation are hosting the first Annual Monarch Migration Festival this September.From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on September 19th at Lakeside Nature Center on Lake Storey Road, various events and activities are being held to spread awareness of Monarch Butterflies.
University of Illinois Extension Master Gardener Rhonda Brady tells Galesburg Live that participants can take part in a symbolic migration during the festival.
“We have opportunities for people to participate in a symbolic migration, where they actually create a butterfly that will end up in Mexico. It’s paper, but it will go to Mexico,” says Brady. “There’s a program that the University of Minnesota Journey North is involved with that helps people understand this migration in a symbolic way.”
Some of the other events include a butterfly photo booth, Adopt a monarch butterfly, information on Illinois Native plants, migration maps, and more.
Simply Native Nursery will be giving away native plants to the first 50 guests in attendance as well.
In additions to activities and events, various educational lectures on monarchs and native plants will also be available.
