Monarch Morning

Monarchs Arrive at Alibates Gardens

NPS Photo

News Release Date: September 15, 2015

Contact: Tim Cruze, 806-857-3151

FRITCH, Texas – Lake Meredith National Recreation Area and Alibates Flint Quarries National Monument will conduct a monarch butterfly program called "MONARCH MORNING" from 9 a.m.- 12:00 p.m. on Sept. 16 in the Alibates Visitors Center. Individual registration is free to the public and includes snacks and handouts. Seating is limited. RSVP by calling Park Headquarters at [phone].

Tim Cruze, Chief of Interpretation, said the "Monarch Morning" program will feature guest speakers Arlene Wimer, Chief of Resources at Lake Meredith National Recreation Area and Alibates Flint Quarries National Monument, and Neil Hinders, owner of Canyon's Edge Plants. The workshop topics will include:
•Monarch anatomy, biology, life-cycle and migration
•Migration decline and reasons for habitat decimation
•The importance of native treated milkweeds to monarch survival
•How to identify milkweeds
•How to design a Certified Monarch Waystation

"It's hard to believe that the monarch butterfly migrates from Canada to its winter home in Mexico," Cruze said. "Unfortunately, monarchs are in danger of disappearing from the U.S. because native milkweeds are vanishing from their migration route." Lake Meredith National Recreation Area and Alibates Flint Quarries National Monument hope to raise awareness through programs such as this, to increase the monarch numbers. For more information, contact [phone].