Monarch Day returns to the Arboretum on September 28!

September is a busy time for monarch butterflies as they undergo their fall migration from Eastern North America to Mexico, and Western North Carolina is a pit stop for some of these busy travelers.

You can celebrate these colorful creatures at Monarch Day, Saturday, September 28, with an amazing collection of activities and events including:

• Kid’s science and art activities

• The Fall Plant Sale and Vendor Market including a free class featuring instructor Martha Rollefson from 11 am – 12 pm both Friday the 27th and Saturday the 28th. Smartphone Tools for Recognizing our Beneficial Garden Neighbors is a hands-on class where we will learn about which smartphone apps are useful for identifying different wildlife in our yards and if these critters are Pests or Pals. We will discuss the different kinds of insects that are commonly found in our region and possible control methods without pesticides. No prior registration required and class will be located in the Education Center Combined Classroom.

• Free Adult Education program: Migrating Monarchs with Blue Ridge Naturalist Instructor Dan Lazar on Saturday, September 28, 1 – 2 pm in the Education Center Auditorium. Lazar will map the movement of the monarch and the compelling story of this remarkable insect. Take this class and enrich your appreciation for a journey that unfolds over miles and generations and learn what you can do in your own landscapes to help the Monarch on its incredible journey for survival. No prior registration required. A monarch tagging and release demonstration will follow this program.

Monarch Day 2024 promises to be a day full of fun and fanfare!