Monarch Butterfly Celebration & Release

🦋 Flutter Into Fun: Monarch Butterfly Celebration & Release! 🦋
🗓️ Date: Saturday, September 12th
🕚 Time: 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM
📍 Location: Butterfly Garden, Spring Hill Cemetery Park & Arboretum, Sunset Drive, Charleston, WV

Get ready for a vibrant, action-packed morning surrounded by nature! Join us as we celebrate the magic of pollinators, explore our beautiful grounds, and mark the 22nd Anniversary of West Virginia Monarch Butterfly Day with an unforgettable live butterfly release! Whether you’re a family looking for weekend adventure, a nature enthusiast, or a butterfly fan of any age, there is something thrilling waiting for you.

🎉 High-Flyin’ Event Highlights
• 🦋 The Big Monarch Release @Noon: Experience the awe-inspiring moment as dozens of Monarchs take to the sky!
• 🧚 Costume Contest: Wear your best butterfly wings or costume! Enter for a chance to win a stunning handcrafted birdhouse and official Friends of Spring Hill merchandise.
• 🔍 Adventure Scavenger Hunt: Track down hidden gems as you explore the blooming Butterfly Garden and adjacent Nature Trail.
• 📖 A Kanawha County Library ‘StoryWalk®’: Interactive outdoor reading along the trail!
• Kids Learning Games & Crafts
• 🪵 BRAND NEW Natural Playscape: Let the kids unleash their energy! Climb, balance, and conquer obstacle paths made from a repurposed White Oak tree set over soft wood chips.

🔬 Meet the Experts & Special Guests
• Heather Tokas (Founder of WV Monarch Butterfly Day): Award-winning butterfly educator, entrepreneur, and owner of Butterflies from Heather. She’ll be sharing fun butterfly projects, deep insights, and hosting the official release!
• Dr. Stephen Mech (University of Charleston): Discover the secret lives of local wildlife! Dr. Mech will reveal fascinating trail-cam photos and audio recordings from his urban wildlife research right here at Spring Hill.
• Chris Higgins (Ratrie Arboretum): Got a green thumb? Ask Chris anything about pollinator-friendly plants, butterfly garden design, and sustainable land management.
• Friends of Spring Hill Cemetery Park & Arboretum: Learn about the rich history of the park and how this dedicated group works to keep our community spaces beautiful.

Why Monarchs Matter: A Story of Passion & Conservation
In 1995, the Monarch was named West Virginia’s official state butterfly for its unmatched beauty. The Monarch has hovered on the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service threatened species list and conservation efforts are more critical than ever.

That’s where our community shines! You’ll get to explore the Noah Jarrell Monarch Waystation—a thriving haven of host and nectar plants established in 2022 thanks to the initiative of former local student Noah Jarrell. Right next door, wander through the Conservation Corner, a wild open meadow framed by native shrubs and a peaceful, mulched Nature Trail.

Did You Know? Spring Hill’s Historic Butterfly Connection
As you drive along Middleton Drive, keep an eye out on your left (just past Lucas Drive) for a grand Celtic Cross. This monument honors William Henry Edwards (1822–1909), a world-renowned naturalist who authored The Butterflies of North America.

🗺️ Directions & Parking Info
The celebration takes place around the Butterfly Garden on Sunset Drive.
• Best Route: Enter Spring Hill Cemetery from Piedmont Road onto Farnsworth Drive.
• Follow the Signs: Event signage will guide you to the left of the red brick Administration Building and along Middleton Drive.
• Where to Park: Follow signs to the Gravel Parking Lot (take the first right on Milam). This will give you a short walk to the garden. Parking is limited near the Butterfly Garden.

✨ Bring your family, wear your wings, and come make memories as we send our Monarchs soaring! See you on September 12th! ✨
Spring Hill Cemetery
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