Join Conserving Carolina for a free lecture entitled, “Butterflies in your Backyard,” presented by Brad Nelson, on Saturday, August 17, at 10:30 a.m. at the Anne Elizabeth Suratt Nature Center at Walnut Creek Preserve.

This program will introduce basic information about butterflies and some of the species common in our area, with a focus on the Monarch butterfly. Nelson will discuss the Monarchs life cycle, the types of milkweed common in our area, and which milkweeds are most likely to attract Monarchs. He will also give gardening techniques that will help attract Monarchs, describing specific types of plants that are best for enticing them and which are better to help perpetuate the species. The presentation will also explain Monarch migration routes and when to expect them in this area. 

Nelson has been involved with Monarch Watch, the University of Kansas tagging program, for the last five years. He raises Monarchs from January to September, a culmination of a release of about 150 tagged butterflies that will journey to Mexico.

Walnut Creek Preserve’s Nature Center is located at 179 Conservatory Lane in Mill Spring.

 

The lecture is part of Conserving Carolina’s monthly Speaker Series at Walnut Creek Preserve.      

For more information contact Pam Torlina at Conserving Carolina at 828-697-5777, ext. 300 or email pam@conservingcarolina.org.  

Conserving Carolina, your local land trust, is dedicated to protecting and stewarding land and water resources vital to our natural heritage and quality of life and to fostering appreciation and understanding of the natural world. For more info visit, www.conservingcarolina.org.

Submitted by Pam Torlina

 

A Monarch butterfly marked with a ‘tag’ from the Monarch Watch Tagging Program (photo by Brad Nelson)