Calling all nature enthusiasts! August is Monarch & Meadow Month at Duke Farms. The Hillsborough leader in environmental stewardship pays tribute to the winged creatures in all their symmetrical and colorful splendor by offering events and workshops for all ages to enjoy. Some events repeat, so don’t worry if you miss them the first time around.
Take a look at this list of offering and prepare to pay homage to these migrating marvels:
Teaching and Learning with Monarch Butterflies
August 2 - August 3, 2018 | 8:30am-4pm
$50.00 per attendee
Each fall, monarch butterflies from the U.S. and Canada begin a 2,000 mile migration to Mexico; in following spring, their great grandchildren return. ‘Teaching and Learning With Monarch Butterflies’ is a two-day workshop combining classroom and field experiences where participants are taught by a team of experienced educators that provide participants with the knowledge, skills, materials and confidence to raise monarchs on their own.
This workshop enables pre-K through 12th grade educators to teach essential skills in literacy, math, science, geography, technology, Spanish, the arts and social studies… through the captivating story of monarchs (but isn’t limited to educators).
Each participant receives: Hands-on instruction by experienced teachers; Rearing cages, books, posters, DVDs and other essential materials; Strategies for creating butterfly gardens; Activities for any subject area; Proven models for engaging community support; Ongoing support.
Monarch Nature Station
August 3, 2018 | 1-3pm
August 10, 2018 | 1-3pm
August 17, 2018 | 1-3pm
August 24, 2018 | 1-3pm
August 31, 2018 | 1-3pm
The Monarch Nature Station will be set up from 1:00-3:00pm across from the Hay Barn on Fridays in August.
Stop by the Monarch Nature Station on Friday afternoons in August to learn about monarch butterflies, the milkweed community, and meadow ecology and habitats.
Collect insects, walk the Monarch Migration Trail, and participate in citizen science as Visitor Education Assistant, Jeff Geist, explains the Monarch Watch program and demonstrates tagging adult butterflies.
Free
Moths of NJ (for families)
August 11, 2018 | 8-11pm
Join moth expert Blaine Rothauser for an indoor presentation that introduces the audience to the over 110,000 species of moths found worldwide, with his own images taken from a multitude of varied landscapes around New Jersey.
As darkness falls, the program will move outside where moths attracted to a special sodium vapor light will provide a spectacular exhibition of variety, color, shape, form and function.
$5.00 per attendee
Milkweed for Monarchs (for kids)
August 14, 2018 | 10-11:30am
Ages 6 to 9 with an adult.
Explore the relationship between monarchs and key plants as you discover aspects of their life cycle and habitat. Learn to identify different types of milkweed. Children will plant milkweed and also take home a gallon sized swamp milkweed of their very own!
Class meets from 10:00 to 11:30am. Please arrive 15-20 minutes early, as we will be walking to a different part of the property promptly at the start of class! Class is rain or shine, so dress for the weather and to get dirty. Bring a water bottle!
Create butterfly art and learn about symmetry in nature. This hands-on class for children ages 5-11 will include take-home crafts that will open their eyes to symmetry that surrounds them.
Butterfly Symmetry
August 19, 2018 | 1-3pm
Create butterfly art and learn about symmetry in nature. This hands-on class for children ages 5-11 will include take-home crafts that will open their eyes to symmetry that surrounds them.
This class will take place in the Education Cottage (near the Bike Tent). Please be prepared to start and end the class with an approximately half-mile walk.
At least 1 adult must accompany each child during this program, with no more than two adults accompanying each child. Everyone must register.
$5.00 Child Appropriate for children ages 5-11.
Butterfly Games
August 24, 2018 | 6:15-7:30pm
Parents must register, too.
Through various outdoor games, participants will learn about the life cycle, anatomy and habitat of butterflies. We will also explore the challenges and perils Monarchs face, as well as the resources they use along their journeys. Be ready to get “tagged”!
Ages 6-11 with a parent; everyone must register in advance.
Wear sneakers and clothing that will allow for running and moving freely.
Class will be held rain or shine, so dress for the weather!
For more information, vist Duke Farms’ website.
