KWEC Hosts 13th Annual Butterfly Festival Amidst Monarch Migration

The Kansas Wetlands Education Center's 13th annual Butterfly Festival is set to take place on Saturday, September 26, from 9 a.m. to noon. The event is part of the monarch butterfly's annual fall migration to Mexico, where millions of these creatures undertake their journey each year.

During the festival, participants will have the opportunity to capture and tag monarch butterflies using nets and tags provided by the KWEC. This data collected from tagged monarchs helps support Monarch Watch's research on the origins of monarchs that reach Mexico, migration timing and pace, mortality during the journey, and changes in geographic distribution.

This year's festival will also feature a number of interactive activities for kids, including making Perler bead butterfly magnets, racing through a pollinator obstacle course, and earning temporary butterfly tattoos. The KWEC will also be hosting an invertebrate zoo with giant walking stick insects, butterflies, caterpillars, chrysalises, fluorescing scorpions, and more.

Additionally, the StoneLion Puppet Theatre will present the Bubba and Trixie show at 9:30, 10:30, and 11:15 a.m. in the KWEC auditorium. This event is free to attend with advance tickets required.