On Saturday, June 11, at 2 p.m., local Monarch watch conservation specialist, Joyce Pearsall, will visit FENCE to discuss Monarch butterflies and their importance to the environment.

Monarch butterflies are beautiful creatures that in recent years have seen a decline in populations. One way to combat that decline is to create more habitats, and way stations, for these species.

After the presentation we will also take a walk over to the butterfly garden on the FENCE property, which is maintained by the Daffy Jills Garden Club and is also a certified Monarch way station. We will talk about the importance of planting a Monarch or pollinator garden at home and the types of plants that you may want to include in your garden.

We encourage all folks who attend this program to think about creating a Monarch way station at their home. FENCE will be giving away Milkweed seed packets to all who attend Joyce’s presentation in hopes that they will plant Milkweed at home. Monarch Butterflies depend on Milkweed for their survival as larvae feed almost exclusively on this type of plant.

This great presentation is free and open to the public! Thank you to the Kirby Endowment at the Polk County Community Foundation for making this event possible.

FENCE is located at 3381 Hunting Country Road in Tryon. For more information about this or other upcoming events please visit the FENCE website, fence.org, or call FENCE at 828-859-9021.

– article submitted by Amy Schmitte