By Kelli Nesbitt, Parks & Recreation Marketing Coordinator
As spring returns, it brings our favorite butterfly back with it.
The offspring of monarchs that overwintered in Mexico will soon kickstart their multi-generational journey to the northern United States and Canada. College Station and areas across Texas are fortunate to witness the incredible migration.
In celebration of our favorite winged friend, the Parks and Recreation Department hosts its annual Monarch March event on Saturday, March 25, from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. at the Gary Halter Nature Center. The free, family-friendly, come-and-go event features educational booths, games, and handy tips for creating a home waystation or butterfly garden.
Here's what to expect:
- Create your pollinator waystation by learning what pollinators are in our area and what native plants attract and deter them. You can also register your existing waystation.
- Learn from hands-on activities about the monarch's life cycle and legendary migration.
- Be part of Lick Creek conservation with our seed ball tosses and plantings.
- Pollinator-themed activities include jewelry making, butterfly origami, face painting, rock painting, photo booth, and more.
- Learn about native wildlife, monarchs, and flowers from a master naturalist.
- Try yoga poses that reflect the monarch's life cycle stages.
- Get your garden ready with the Post Oak Chapter of the Native Plant Society plant sale. Sales start at 9 a.m., and supplies are limited.
- Learn how to help save monarchs and other wildlife with your phone or smart device.
- Participate in the pollinator scavenger hunt, flower tug of war, and pollinator relay races.
Join us in welcoming the iconic black and orange butterflies back to Aggieland! Additional parking is available at the Lick Creek equestrian entrance off Rock Prairie Road.
Butterfly Alley
Butterfly Alley is taking flight at Lick Creek Park. The .15-mile walking trail is being transformed into a pollinator paradise thanks to the generous support of Jim and Jan Hughes. The improved path will feature pollinator habitats and self-guided interactive learning panels that will cover the monarch's lifecycle and ways that you can help their decline.
Other improvements include surface and drainage upgrades and benches. Construction is expected to be completed later this year.
For more information, visit cstx.gov/LickCreek or call 979-764-6216.
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