Fall Fling: Butterfly Fest
Saturday, September 16 9am-4pm.
Support one of Virginia’s most innovative and exciting public gardens by joining in a day of adult and family fun festivities. Proceeds go towards the gardens and add to Green Spring’s educational efforts. Co-sponsors of the event: Green Spring Gardens, Virginia Native Plant Society, Hidden Oaks Nature Center, and Washington Gardener magazine.
- 9-10:30am - Lecture: The Grand Saga of the Monarch Butterfly
The dramatic migration of monarch butterflies from North America to central Mexico every fall is one of the most amazing biological phenomenon on the planet. But the mystery of their winter destination was not solved until January 1975. Join us for an illustrated lecture by eminent biologist, Dr. Lincoln Brower, who has studied the monarchs on their wintering grounds since 1977. Learn about the biology of this fascinating butterfly and about conservation issues they face both in the U.S. and in Mexico. $15
- 10:30am-noon - Silent Auction
Plants, art, garden excursions and other gardening essentials; bid on your favorites. The highest bidder wins! Refreshments served during the auction. Bidder number and refreshments. $10
- 11am-2pm - Discovery Station: Monarch Magic
Adults and families are invited to drop in, examine the monarchs mesmerizing life cycle, make a caterpillar cage and take a tiny larvae home to raise and release in your own garden. $10/project
- Noon-12:30pm - Tagging Monarch Butterflies
Suzanne Holland, Hidden Oaks Nature Center naturalist, demonstrates how scientists capture, tag and release live monarch butterflies. Tagging monarchs aids scientist to track their journey southwest and discover more about monarch migration. $5/person, $10/family
- 2-3pm - Butterfly Gardening
Butterfly gardening is very popular – it seems that everyone wants to attract the flying ‘jewels’ to their garden. To join the fun, come and learn the plants you should include in your flower beds. The session includes a walk in the gardens, please dress appropriately. $10
- 11am-4pm - Plant Sale
Let the plant shopping begin! Green Spring’s Garden Gate plant shop will open and the Virginia Native Plant Society will staff their tables. Free
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