The second annual Monarch Butterfly and Pollinator Festival will take place this month from Friday October 20 to Sunday October 22, 2017. This three-day event is organized by the Texas Butterfly Ranch and the theme this year is Butterflies without Borders. The goal is to raise awareness and appreciation of the insect pollinators that make food possible. This celebration takes place during peak Monarch migration week in San Antonio, which generally occurs during the last two weeks of October. Each year, millions of the migrating black-and-orange butterflies move through the “Texas Funnel” on their way to Mexico to roost for the winter. Studies suggest the eastern migrating Monarch population has dropped more than 60% in recent years and the insect has been petitioned for listing as “threatened” under the Endangered Species Act. A full schedule of planned events is available online. (Monarch Butterfly Festival, 2017)

With the generous support from The Pearl, The San Antonio River Authority, HEB, the Rivard Report, Trinity University and the Mexican Cultural Institute, the Festival begins on Friday October 20, with an international scientific symposium at the Pearl Stable. Scientists from Mexico, the U.S. and Canada will explore the intersections of pollinators and politics in a Butterflies without Borders panel discussion: The Monarch Migration and our Changing Climate. On Saturday, there will be various art and education events throughout town including a teacher training workshop at the San Antonio River Authority, a “bug lunch” at the Witte, a butterfly walk and talk at the San Antonio Botanical Garden and art events at Yanaguana Gardens and the Mexican Cultural Institute.

On Sunday October 22, there will be a “People for Pollinators Parade” at the Pearl and costumes are encouraged. The parade route will march down Pearl Parkway and trained docents will teach kids the citizen science of tagging Monarch butterflies. More than 20 educational booths will offer education, engagement and fun. Tagged Monarch butterflies will be released at the Pearl amphitheater at noon. There will be numerous activities including Pedaling Pollinators Butterfly Bikes, face painting, kite making, story time by the Book Fairy, food and music.