THE BUTTERFLIES ARE BACK!
Join us for one of the most magical family events of the summer! Hundreds of monarch butterflies will take flight in a spectacular live release—and some of these butterflies are truly extraordinary.
In partnership with Wings Rising, a local nonprofit dedicated to monarch butterfly preservation, and Washington State University, selected monarchs will be released wearing tiny, trackable tags as part of the Adopt a Monarch program. After the event, you'll be able to follow their incredible migration journey from North Idaho all the way to Mexico using your smartphone.
The Mighty Monarchs, a local nonprofit dedicated to monarch conservation, will be onsite sharing their knowledge about the challenges facing Western Monarchs and the importance of protecting their habitat. Families can enjoy free, kid-friendly activities while learning how they can help support these incredible pollinators. The Nature Conservancy will also be joining us to support this important conservation initiative, sharing more about their efforts to protect monarch habitats and preserve the natural spaces these butterflies depend on.
This special morning is designed for children of all ages and their families. Katie, Youth Services Librarian from the Hayden Community Library, will lead an engaging Story Time in the Garden beneath the trees before the butterfly release.
The fun continues throughout the garden! Kids will get to create a colorful butterfly wind spinner to take home and enjoy (sponsored by Lil’ Sprouts Garden Club), Shimmer Shack CDA will be here creating magical face-painting designs, and BP Doodles will be capturing smiles with custom caricature artwork. Be sure to snap a photo and make a memory in front of our beautiful butterfly backdrop!
To make the day even sweeter, Pascendi’s Italian Ice will be serving refreshing shaved ice, including special event flavors alongside their customer favorites. Plus, The Sugaree will be joining us with their delicious fairy floss — spun with organic sugar, made with certified organic flavors, and completely free of dyes.
Following story time, Wings Rising will share fascinating facts about monarch butterflies, their life cycle, and why these remarkable pollinators are so important to our ecosystem. Then, experience the unforgettable moment as hundreds of monarch butterflies are released into the garden.
As a special thank-you to our Seed Rewards members, children in attendance will receive a limited-edition Monarch butterfly sticker while supplies last.
Before you leave, be sure to stop by the nursery to purchase milkweed plants—the essential host plant for monarch butterflies. Planting milkweed at home is one of the best ways to help support future generations of these beautiful pollinators and create a butterfly-friendly garden of your own.
Bring your family, invite your friends, and experience a morning filled with stories, creativity, and the wonder of watching monarch butterflies begin an incredible journey.
Last year’s event was a huge success! This year, we’ll have even more butterfly houses so every child can enjoy the experience. We encourage families to arrive early for the best seating. To help ensure all children can participate, we kindly ask that seating be reserved for kids, with parents standing nearby.
