First, we want to THANK everyone who has donated to our Legal Defense Fund. If you are unfamiliar with what is happening at the National Butterfly Center, please read through the posts and updates in our Generosity.com campaign. Second, we are very pleased to announce that the renowned law firm of Debevoise & Plimpton, along with the esteemed Texas Civil Rights Project, will be representing the North American Butterfly Association (NABA) and the National Butterfly Center in our efforts to stop the usurpation of our private property and ensure we enjoy our right to due process, as the federal government seeks to construct the Border Wall across our land.
In 1998, Debevoise & Plimpton successfully represented NABA in saving the last viable colony of Regal Fritillaries in eastern North America, by blocking the U.S. Army’s plan to convert their habitat into a tank maneuvering area. We are honored to receive the assistance of Debevoise & Plimpton, once again.
OCTOBER DATES & DEADLINES
Festival Discount Deadline
We are delighted to report the Rio Grande Valley is finally getting some rain, just in time for the Texas Butterfly Festival! We’re looking forward to another sold out festival, and need to let everyone know the block of rooms reserved at the host hotel is set to expire Wednesday, Oct. 4. If you think you may come for the festival, reserve your room, today, to take advantage of the discounted room rate before it is gone.
M3 for Girl Scouts
Saturday, October 14, the National Butterfly Center will host its proprietary Monarch Conservation program, M3: Monarchs, Milkweed & Me, exclusively for Girl Scouts. This very special event kicks off the arrival of Monarch migration season in South Texas, and gives Daisies - Ambassadors the opportunity to earn their M3 fun patch.
M3 is all about developing and channeling G.I.R. L. Power to transform our world for the better. The registration fee of $15 pp includes the badge, supplies, instruction from 9AM - 12PM, plus all-day park admission. There is no charge for 2 leaders/troop; parents and siblings pay applicable park admission, only. Individuals and troops may sign up online at www.NationalButterflyCenter.org. All participants are invited to pack a lunch and picnic under the Monarch Palapa.
Volunteer Opportunity
You can have a hand in planting the Southernmost Monarch Waystation on Saturday, October 21. We’re looking for volunteers from 8 AM to 11 AM to help us plant over 6,000 native milkweed seedlings, plus seasonal nectar plants on approximately 30 acres at the National Butterfly Center. To learn more or sign up to join us, please email Luciano@nationalbutterflycenter.org. Groups welcome!
Inaugural Monarch 5K
A new addition to the annual Texas Butterfly Festival is the inaugural Monarch 5K Fun Run, featuring this beautiful commemorative medal for all participants. The run will kick off Community Day activities on Saturday, Nov. 4, where participants will be provided wildflower seed bombs to toss along the trail route. Register to run (or just to receive the medal) with the race organizer, 2Run Crew. Choose the full 5K or the 1K walk.
Adventure to Angangueo
A few seats remain for the inaugural Adventure to Angangueo to visit two of the Monarch Sanctuaries in Michoacan, Mexico. If you would like to join representatives of NABA and the National Butterfly Center on this trip to the magical oyamel fir forests, please register, today, to save your spot. This professional tour package with Holbrook Travel is competitively priced and designed to give participants a delightful experience of this country’s natural, cultural and historical treasures.
REGISTRATION IS OPEN!
The 22nd Annual Texas Butterfly Festival is ready to receive you! Check out the new website with plenty of information about this very special event, the schedule, field trips and awesome guides! All trips and workshops have a limited number of seats on them, and several are only scheduled for ONE day. These always sell out first, so do not delay. If you have questions, please read the FAQs to see whether we've anticipated it; if we have not, please email info@texasbutterflyfestival.com and allow 24 hours for us to respond.
We're looking forward to another fantastic festival, full of butterflies and friends, and we hope to see YOU there!
