Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden and the Miami Blue Chapter of the North American Butterfly Association once again will host Butterfly Days at Fairchild, a weekend of events celebrating butterfly appreciation, conservation and education, taking place from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 24 and 25, at Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden.
Explore the fantastic world of butterflies with Fairchild’s packed agenda for the weekend. Learn to identify Florida butterflies, take a butterfly walk with South Florida experts through the Lisa D. Anness Butterfly Garden at Fairchild, learn about butterfly conservation, engage in children’s activities throughout the day and choose from various butterfly plant sales.
Highlights include:
Lectures — Stop into one of the many lectures and presentations throughout the weekend to learn about conservation, butterfly gardening, photography and more. Also, don’t miss the opportunity to have books signed by some of our leading butterfly experts.
Lecturer’s include: Rick Check, naturalist and author; David Wagner, professor, University of Connecticut; Marc Minno, scientist, St. John’s River Water Management District; Roger Hammer, interpretative naturalist and author; Cindy David, Butterfly Garden designer; Georgia Tasker, Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden; Linda Evans, vice president of the Miami Blue Chapter of NABA; Becky Smith, vice president of the Miami Blue Chapter of NABA, and Jason Lopez, Living Collections manager, Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden.
Educational Activities — Do butterflies and moths change color to survive — or do they mimic their predators as a trick? Learn how butterflies survive in their habitats with hands-on activities and fun for the whole family. Also learn how to create your own butterfly haven at home.
Butterfly Attracting Plants and Herbs — Looking to create your own butterfly garden at home? Pick up attractor plants and herbs and learn which plants are best for your backyards.
Local Organizations — Learn what local non-profits and conservation organizations are doing to help protect our native butterfly population.
Marketplace — Pick up the latest garden accessories, handmade silk scarves with beautiful butterfly prints or munch on gourmet eats from local vendors and food trucks.
Butterfly Walk and Survey takes place 9 a.m. Saturday only. Take a hike around Fairchild and through the natural butterfly habitats to see some of South Florida’s rarest species. The hike will be led by Linda Evans, Miami Blue Chapter of NABA; Joe Barros, president of Tropical Audubon Society, and Elizabeth Golden, park biologist at Bill Bags State Park. Butterfly walks often are led off off garden paths and may take over an hour to complete. Closed toe shoes, sunscreen and water are encouraged for walk participants.
Fairchild is located at 10901 Old Cutler Rd. in Coral Gables. Admission is $25 for adults, $18 for seniors, $12 for children ages 6-17 and free to children ages 5 and under as well as Fairchild members.
Information is available online at www.fairchildgarden.org.
