How to care for your dog the eco-friendly way

From eco-friendly dog treats to sustainable dog accessories, The Puppy Gazette has all the information you need to care for your dog while caring for the planet. Photo: Google/Bliss Planet

Earth Day is an annual event held globally on April 22 to demonstrate support for environmental protection and promote environmental protection and climate action. The theme for this year’s Earth Day is Planet vs. Plastics. In the spirit of Earth Day, I’d like to shine the spotlight on a recent article from The Puppy Gazette about the importance of eco-friendly dog food when it comes to reducing our beloved dogs’ environmental footprint. It emphasizes various earth friendly ways to care for them including natural dog grooming products and eco-friendly dog housing and bedding.

Earlier this month I introduced you to Allen Kimble’s website The Puppy Gazette. His goal is to be your new source for dog related information. If you are one of a growing number of global citizens concerned about your carbon footprint as well as a dog parent, there are ways to ensure that how we care for them is also eco-friendly. In the recent article, “Eco-friendly Dog Food for a Reduced Environmental Footprint,” he breaks down everything you need to know regarding dog care to make sure it is as environmentally friendly as possible.

I was impressed by the number of ways we can help reduce environmental damage while also caring for our dogs. Some of them I have heard of before, but I admit, some of these ideas are new to me. I will summarize them below but check out the article for more details.

‱ Eco-friendly Dog Treats
   Yora Pet Foods – insect protein
   Jiminy’s – crickets
   Wild Earth – high quality plant proteins
   Chippin – planet-friendly proteins
   Yarrah – organic, healthy, and sustainable dog food
   Beco – grain-free dog food
   Pezzy – pet treats made exclusively from invasive fish found around Mexico
‱ Pet Biodegradable Waste Management
   ATIFBOP dog poop bags
   MUAMUA Biodegradable Dog Poop Bags
   Walker Good Boy Poop Bags
   Doggy Do Good Compostable Waste Bags
‱ Natural Dog Grooming Products
   Earthbath Oatmeal & Aloe Shampoo and Conditioner Set
   Earthbath Oatmeal & Aloe Grooming Wipes
‱ Eco-friendly Dog Housing and Bedding
   New Age Pet Pet Crate
   West Paw’s eco-friendly beds
‱ Sustainable Dog Toys and Accessories
   West Paw Zogoflex Hurley Dog Bone Chew Toy
   Beco Pets Hemp Rope Jungle Ring Toy

These products come from companies that are committed to producing quality pet products that minimize environmental impact. This is excellent news for pet lovers who also care about the planet. From dog food to dog toys, nowadays there are more options available so we can rest assured that we are doing all we can to care for the planet and reduce our carbon footprint. What I found most interesting is the biodegradable dog poop bags, as opposed to plastic ones that can take hundreds of years to decompose. So take a few minutes to peruse the information in the article and while you are there, check out all the other outstanding articles. It has so much useful information.

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Photo: The Puppy Gazette

JW Marriott San Antonio and Desert Door Texas Sotol’s partnership for Texas bees

The two organizations partnered to serve a signature cocktail exclusive to the resort using Desert Door Texas Sotol’s Pollinator spirit, the third Texas Sotol variation in Desert Door’s Conservation Series. Courtesy photo, used with permission.

JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort & Spa and Desert Door Texas Sotol have pollinated a partnership to serve a signature cocktail exclusive to the resort using Desert Door Texas Sotol’s Pollinator spirit. The cocktail, Paloma Preserve, will be available on the menu across all of the resort’s restaurant and bar outlets: 18 Oaks, Cibolo Moon, Crooked Branch, High Velocity, Rivertop, and Replenish. (JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort & Spa, 2023) 

Desert Door Texas Sotol’s Pollinator is a sotol spirit made from the West Texas-grown evergreen sotol plant and is similar in profile to agave-based spirits, tequila, and mezcal. Pollinator was created with mesquite, persimmon and honeysuckle, which are native plants that are pollinated by Texas bee species. 

The Paloma Preserve cocktail will feature the Pollinator Sotol, grapefruit juice, lime juice, simple syrup, topped with soda and garnished with a lime wedge, and will be served in signature blue porcelain tumblers. 

The partnership between JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort & Spa and Desert Door Texas Sotol was established from the organizations’ common mission of the preservation of Texas bees.

According to Texas Master Gardeners within Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Services, development and pesticides have ravaged Texas bees putting not only honey prices at stake, but the pollination of native Texas plants, since bees play a key role in pollinating, and the pollination of around $587 million worth of crops every year in Texas. 

Desert Door’s nonprofit foundation Wild Spirit Wild Places (WSWP) is dedicated to the restoration and preservation of wild lands across Texas and the U.S. through research, education and conservation practices, and spearheaded the planting of pollinator gardens across Central Texas as part of the release of Pollinator. Desert Door regularly releases limited editions of its Texas Sotol with a portion of its proceeds directly funding the foundation’s future land conservation projects. Pollinator is the third spirit variation in the Conservation Series and highlights one of the overlooked heroes of the earth’s ecosystem, bees. 

According to WSWP, bees are experiencing a steep decline which poses a serious threat to global food production. In Texas, 40% of the honeybee population is being lost every year. Reasons for the decline vary from pesticides, drought, habitat destruction and disease.

“Desert Door’s nonprofit foundation and third Conservation Series spirit directly aligns with the resort’s missions to protect bees in Texas and to establish local community partnerships. We are proud to have them as a partner and are confident our guests will enjoy the exclusive Paloma Preserve cocktail using Desert Door Texas Sotol’s new Pollinator spirit.” – Adam Tyler, director of food & beverage at JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort & Spa

The JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort & Spa’s food and beverage team and Culinary Gardener are responsible for providing regional bees with the home they need to thrive by maintaining beehives on the resort’s property and harvesting honey from them. Recently, honey harvested at the resort was used in the brewing process of a new beer, Hill Country Honey Blonde, in partnership with Freetail Brewing Company, a company that actively builds awareness for wildlife conservation through the development of their products. 

Both the Paloma Preserve and Hill Country Honey Blonde beer are part of the JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort & Spa’s Conservation Series aimed at creating a positive impact in the local community.

The JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort & Spa is an award-winning luxury resort encompassing 600 acres of rolling hills, meandering creeks and Live Oak trees in the Hill Country. The resort is a sophisticated but relaxed destination with 1,002 guest rooms; seven restaurant and lounge options; 9-acre water park experience; TPC San Antonio, a 36-hole PGA TOUR golf facility; full-service Lantana Spa; and more than 265,00 square feet of customizable meeting and event space. 

The recipe for the Paloma Preserve cocktail is:

  • 1 Âœ oz grapefruit juice
  • Âœ oz lime juiceÂŒ oz agave simple syrup
  • 1 ÂŒ oz Sotol
  • Build in glass rimmed from 12-6 with salt, fill with ice and top with soda
  • Garnish with lime at 10 o’clock

2022 Monarch Butterfly & Pollinator Festival

Brackenridge Park Conservancy announces this year’s Monarch Butterfly & Pollinator Festival in Brackenridge Park. Photo: Google

The Brackenridge Park Conservancy, in partnership with the Texas Butterfly Ranch, is proud to present the 2022 Monarch Butterfly & Pollinator Festival. The event  will take place Saturday, October 8 from 10a.m. to 2p.m. in the Pecan Grove at Brackenridge Park as part of a month-long celebration of pollinators. Festivities include the People for Pollinators Parade, a monarch butterfly migration obstacle course for kids, butterfly tagging, live bee hive demonstrations, and more. (Brackenridge Park Conservancy, 2022)

The festival is free and open to the public and brings together more than 20 community partners to educate the community on the importance of the monarch butterfly and other pollinators. Activities for the whole family will take place starting at 10a.m. with the Caterpillar Train launching from the train depot in the park. The train was transformed with the assistance of local landscape architecture firm MP Studios and the beloved and nostalgic San Antonio Zoo train will be converted to a monarch butterfly caterpillar for the month of October.

“Brackenridge Park is thrilled to host the 2022 Monarch Butterfly & Pollinator Festival. The Park means so much to the people, plants and animals in this city so we look forward to being a home to free and fun educational events like this.” – Lynn Osborne Bobbitt, Brackenridge Park Conservancy Director of Development and Special Events

Throughout the day, visitors can tag monarch butterflies with trained docents as part of the Monarch Watch citizen science initiative. Festival goers can also participate in the Forever Journey, a program started in 2020 that tags butterflies in honor of deceased loved ones.

“Just as San Antonio sits in the heart of the migratory flyway for monarch butterflies and other wildlife, Brackenridge sits in the heart of our city. It makes for an ideal roost for this year’s Festival.” – Monika Maeckle, Festival founder and director of the Texas Butterfly Ranch.

More initiatives from this year’s festival include a monarch migration obstacle course organized by Blooming with Birdie, butterfly bike rides with the Austin Bike Zoo, a birding tour of the park and adoption events for hundreds of trees provided by the San Antonio Parks Department and pollinator-friendly native plants made available by SAWS. 

The Brackenridge Park Conservancy has listened to and been a voice for those who use this cherished San Antonio park and its facilities. The organization operates under a long-term Management Agreement with the City that is administered by the San Antonio Parks and Recreation Department. The only organization dedicated solely to protecting Brackenridge Park, the Conservancy raises funds for projects that benefit the Park, implements park-based programs and projects, advises City staff and elected officials, supports the evolution and implementation of plans for the Park, and acts as a forum for users to address common issues and build consensus.

The mission of the Monarch Butterfly & Pollinator Festival is to raise understanding and appreciation of the insect pollinators that make one of every three bites of our food possible, underscore our inherent interconnectedness, encourage the use of native nectar and host plants in gardens and landscapes, and reinforce San Antonio’s strategic role in the monarchs’ annual migration as the First Monarch Butterfly Champion City.

 

Birds, Bees & Butterflies event at Canyon of the Eagles Nature Park & Resort

Birds, Bees & Butterflies will take place at Canyon of the Eagles Nature Park & Resort over a two month period starting March 1, 2022. Photo: Canyon of the Eagles Nature Park & Resort, used with permission.

Learn about Texas birds, bees, butterflies, and the plant life that support them during a two month-long special event at Canyon of the Eagles Nature Park & Resort from March 1 through April 30, 2022. With 100 family-friendly activities, Birds, Bees & Butterflies will shine a light on education and conservation through hands-on activities and fascinating presentations. (Canyon of the Eagles Nature Park & Resort, 2022)

With 100% volunteer participation from local and regional experts, associations, and businesses, nearly all activities are free to overnight guests. The general public is welcome to pay a day-use park fee to access the nature park during these activities and enjoy other amenities like the nature trails and private lakefront.

Activities include six different themed nature walks, two synchronized group butterfly releases, numerous photo safaris, seed planting for pollinators, several nature crafts, watching an observational beehive, building, and flying butterfly kites (did you know the wind is a pollinator?), and an interactive bird beak buffet to demonstrate how different birds use their beaks.

Presentation topics include landscaping to promote pollinators, the relationship between deer management and bird habitat, monarch butterflies 101, the life of the hive, “hoo’s” in your neighborhood, rethink your landscape, what are native plants, intro to bees in Texas, and the Hives for Heroes a program empowering Veterans as they transition away from a life of service through beekeeping and honeybee conservation. In addition, the day-use park fee for veterans is a reduced fee.

Photo safaris promise to be popular activities as they combine the popular hobbies of nature photography and wildlife. The hive dive experience is restricted to beginner and intermediate beekeepers wearing a full beekeeper’s outfit. The opportunity to learn from a seasoned professional is invaluable as new-bees grow their skills. Several bee observation hives will be available for viewing to the public, along with Q&A with bee experts.

The Big Sit is a semi-competitive international group birding activity started in 1992 by a New Haven, CT, birding club. Participants observe and document birds from within a 50 ft. circle and report their findings through eBird, a free app. Three respected local birders will lead the Canyon of the Eagles team on Monday, April 18, from 7a.m. to 9a.m. and 4p.m. to 7p.m. People with and without birding experience are all welcome – this is an excellent introduction to the camaraderie and fun of birdwatching.

Another highlight of Birds, Bees & Butterflies, held on April 30, the final day of the two month-long special event, is the City-Nature Challenge. This is a Texas Parks and Wildlife program encouraging folks to get out and enjoy nature while documenting what they see through the use of the free iNaturalist app. This friendly competition pits regions in Texas against one another.

There will be two synchronized releases of butterflies into nature in honor of loved ones, hopes, dreams, and wishes on Monday, March 14 (reserve via email by March 3) and Saturday, April 16 (reserve via email by April 4). Both releases will be from 1p.m to 2p.m. with reservations available by email. Butterflies are $5 each. Participants are encouraged to linger and watch the butterflies find their way into nature.

Special thanks to Highland Lakes Master Gardeners, Marble Falls Master Naturalists, Capital Area Master Naturalists, Highland Lakes Chapter of the Native Plant Society, All Things Wild Rehabilitation, AgriLife for Burnet County, Texas Beekeepers Association, Hives for Heroes, Texas A&M Beekeeping Program, University of Texas, Texas Parks & Wildlife, McKane Apiary Service & Bee Removal, Woodlynns Farm, Luedecke Photography, and Fain’s Honey.

Canyon of the Eagles Nature Park & Resort is a 940-acre nature park located in the Texas Hill Country. It is home to 16 miles of groomed nature trails, three miles of private lakefront on Lake Buchanan, the Eagle Eye Observatory, and Overlook Restaurant. Located within the Edwards Plateau region, the park is the nesting ground for Golden-cheeked Warblers, Black-capped Vireo, and American Bald Eagle. To learn more about the programs and to book reservations for guestrooms, RV sites, and tent campsites, please visit Canyon of the Eagles online. 

Conservation tips for Earth Day 2021 and beyond

Taking care of our planet is something that can be done any day of the year. Photo: google

Earth Day is an annual event celebrated around the world on April 22 to demonstrate support for environmental protection. First celebrated in 1970, it now includes events coordinated globally by the Earth Day Network in more than 193 countries. While it is exciting to participate in Earth Day activities once a year, you can make a difference every day of the year by doing small things to help protect and preserve the environment.

Plant a tree. This is usually done around the world on Earth Day but the act of planting a tree any day of the year has a variety of benefits. By doing so, you are creating a new habitat for wildlife, helping to clean the air, and replacing resources that have been used. 

Start a garden. Gardening not only benefits you, but it also helps give back to the earth by cleaning the air. Growing your own food helps you eat sustainably and organically and gardening is even proven to help reduce stress. You can even share your bounty with friends, family, and neighbors who are in need. Buy local and frequent your local farmers’ market to reduce the distance from farm to fork.

Join a clean-up. There are numerous Earth Day activities that involve cleaning up parks, beaches, river and stream banks, and more.  One way to do this every day is by plogging – picking up trash while jogging.

Go on a hike/walk. Spending time outdoors is not only good exercise, but it is a constant reminder about why it is so important to celebrate Earth Day and protect our planet.

Go dark for a day. This is an excellent way to celebrate Earth Day: commit to unplugging from electronics and all non-essential appliances and devices for a day. Get back to basics and participate in Earth Day activities that are completely environmentally friendly. On any given day, save electricity and turn off the lights when you leave a room.

Build a home/office recycling center. At home, organize your garbage disposal area to easily sort recycling. For work, get permission to purchase the supplies needed to create a recycling station and encourage co-workers to participate.

Cut back on plastic. Most disposable plastics at home can be replaced with reusable options, including reusable water bottles, grocery bags, and other containers. If possible, buy products in glass or paper. Glass products are easily reused and paper is a much friendlier product to the environment. When I used to pack my lunch for work, I always carried a portable travel fork/spoon set in my bag as well as reusable straws. Remember the three Rs: reduce, reuse, recycle.

Educate yourself. Read a book, subscribe to a blog, watch a documentary, or attend a seminar to help you learn about environmental issues and why they are so important.

Practice sustainable fashion. We all have usable items lying around the house that have been forgotten. Clean out a closet and donate gently used items to local charities to give them a new life.

Get rid of unwanted junk. This is another excellent project for Earth Day. Get the family together to clear out the junk around the house and then go with professionals like Junk Queen TX to haul it away. They are a junk removal company serving the homes and businesses of the Collin County area. If you are looking for same day affordable junk removal to remove furniture, debris, trash, garbage or rubbish from your Texas home or business, they are one of the most experienced hauling companies in the area. If you need trash removed, furniture picked up, or rubbish cleared away from your home or business, check out, Junk Queen TX.  They will remove single items as well, including beds, dressers, sofas, mattresses, couches, refrigerators, and even pianos.

If after all that clean up you need dumpster rental service, consider dumpster rental Collin County.  They offer dumpster rentals for multiple days so you do not have to feel rushed and you can fill it up as much or as little as you want or need. Why hire a national company to do a local job? Junk Queen TX has been in the dumpster and trash removal industry for decades, and they put their reputation and customers first. You can rely on them for extremely low, fair pricing, on-time, reliable dumpsters, service, and friendliness. They follow Texas law and best practices with disposing of your trash. You can take your time, knowing you have multiple days to fill up your dumpster before they come pick it up, without ever having to stress or rush your process. Most importantly, they recycle because it is environmentally focused, locally responsible and financially wise because recycled products are worth more than a landfill. Junk Queen TX recycles and disposes of debris, waste, furniture, plastics, wood, metal and other materials common in dumpster trash disposal services.

Photo: Junk Queen, TX, used with permission.

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Esquire Tavern to participate in the Monarch Butterfly and Pollinator Festival

houstoneaves
Houston Eaves, Beverage Director for Esquire Tavern and Downstairs at Esquire Tavern. Photo: Kody Melton, used with permission.

The Esquire Tavern will be participating in the ‘Holy Agave Spirits – It’s the Bat Man of Mexico!’ event during the annual 2019 Monarch Butterfly and Pollinator Festival and Parade on Saturday, October 19.  The presentation will be from 6p.m. to 8:30p.m. and it will educate the public on how bats and other wildlife help create tequila, mezcal and other food and drink items. Space is limited. This event will feature agave influenced spirits from the James Beard nominated bar program at Esquire Tavern. Tickets are $15 and are available online; it includes general admission plus tasting of agave inspired drinks and eats. Food and drink will also be available for purchase. (Esquire Tavern, 2019)

Renowned bat ecologist and PhD Rodrigo Medellín, known as “the Bat Man of Mexico,” will lead the presentation. Beverage Director for Esquire Tavern and Downstairs at Esquire Tavern, Houston Eaves, will provide tastings of agave spirits and cocktails from behind the bar throughout the evening. Eaves will be available to answer questions about the importance of bats in producing the tequila and mezcal that can be found at the historic San Antonio tavern. Representatives from Bat Conservation International and San Antonio River Foundation will also be there, along with local artist, Ashley Mahaney displaying her bat art.

Confluence Park
310 W Mitchell St.
San Antonio, TX 78204

The Esquire Tavern has been serving drinks to locals, drifters, celebrities and all walks of life for over 80 years. It first opened in 1933 on Repeal Day, a day which celebrated the end of America’s 13-year-long alcohol prohibition. Lauded as the oldest bar on the San Antonio River Walk -still holding the title of the longest bar in Texas- The Esquire Tavern is a venue of untouchable historic significance and has many remarkable tales to tell. Although completely renovated in 2011, The Esquire Tavern still retains its vintage dĂ©cor, classic furnishings and dusky lighting that allows guests to enjoy a rustic yet romantic atmosphere. Located along the River Walk, guests can sit outside and take in festive surroundings and sultry San Antonio evenings.

October events at the Pearl

monarchbutterfly
The Monarch Butterfly and Pollinator Festival is one of the events taking place at the Pearl in October. Photo: Matt Buikema, used with permission.

Pearl recently announced its campus-wide programming throughout October. The property will host numerous family-friendly and fall-focused events including the Monarch Butterfly and Pollinator Festival, San Antonio Herb Market, Pumpkin Patch and more. (Pearl, 2019)

October programming includes:
Bottling Department Two Dollar Tuesdays
The Bottling Department is excited to launch Two Dollar Tuesdays which kicked off on October 1. The following $2 specials will run all day every Tuesday at the food hall:

  • Maybelle’s: $2 soft serve cones
  • Bud’s Rotisserie: $2 jambo
  • Tenko Ramen: $2 edamame
  • The Good Kind: $2 corn in a cup
  • Fletcher’s Hamburgers: $2 large fry
  • Bar at the Bottling Department: $2 Pearl beer

San Antonio Herb Market – Saturday October 19 from 9a.m to 2p.m.
The 28th annual San Antonio Herb Market kicks off on Saturday, October 19 from 9a.m. to 2p.m. during Pearl Farmers Market. The featured herb of the year is Agastache Foeniculum (Giant Blue Hyssop), a perennial plant that belongs to the mint family. From 12p.m. to 1p.m., there will be a cooking demo held outside of Pearl Stable conducted by La Botanica Chef/Owner Rebel Mariposa. Pearl patrons can stop by to try recipes that use the highlighted herb.

Monarch Butterfly and Pollinator Festival – Sunday, October 20 from 10a.m. to 2p.m.
Pearl and The Texas Butterfly Ranch are proud to host the fourth annual Monarch Butterfly and Pollinator Festival on Sunday, October 20 from 10a.m. to 2p.m. Promising a weekend of science, education and fun, the festival will celebrate the Monarch Butterfly’s majestic migration through Texas on their way to Mexico to roost for the winter. The event will include a people for pollinators parade, monarch butterfly tagging, educational demonstrations, live music and the world debut of the Waggle Dance at noon. Costumes are encouraged. More information about events taking place around the city is available online.

Pumpkin Patch at Pearl Farmers Market – Saturday, October 26 from 9a.m. to 1p.m. and Sunday, October 27 from 10a.m. to 2p.m.
A weekend pumpkin patch provided by Braune Farms is set for right before Halloween and will take place during the Pearl Farmers Market. The annual Teal Pumpkin Project initiative will also be on site offering teal pumpkin painting to help grow awareness of a worldwide initiative that aims to cultivate inclusiveness of all children, especially those with food allergies, during the fall season/Halloween. Paint, brushes, and decorations are provided and families are encouraged to purchase small pumpkins from the patch to participate.

Pop-Ups at Pearl
Pearl is excited to continue its pop-up experiences during October at Pearl’s Dielmann Building. The Dielmann Building, located in the old Il Sogno space, will host retail shops Miron Crosby and Period Modern. Miron Crosby, a bespoke boot brand from Dallas, occupies the space in the beginning of the month, followed by Period Modern, a brand offering hand-selected vintage and authentic Danish mid-century furniture. Period Modern regularly features the work of makers such as Knoll and Herman Miller, as well as designers Milo Baughman, Paul McCobb and many of the Danish masters. Their vast collection of original vintage art pieces, fixtures and decor is updated daily. Period Modern often collaborates with other San Antonio business owners to sponsor live music shows and art exhibitions both in-house and off-premises. The October schedule includes:

Pearl
303 Pearl Pkwy
San Antonio, TX 78215
(210) 212-7260

Monarch Butterfly & Pollinator Festival 2018 at Pearl

monarchfestival18
This year’s Monarch Butterfly & Pollinator Festival will take place at the Pearl on Friday October 19 and Sunday October 21. Photo: Matt Buikema, used with permission.

The Texas Butterfly Ranch and Pearl are excited to announce the third annual Monarch Butterfly & Pollinator Festival at Pearl. The event takes place during peak Monarch migration season when migrating Monarchs pass through Texas from the east, on their way to Mexico to roost for the winter. (Pearl, 2018)

The celebration kicks off with a Butterflies Without Borders Forum at Pearl Stable on Friday October 19 and continues throughout the weekend with a People for Pollinators Parade, monarch butterfly tagging, educational demonstrations, musical performances and the highly anticipated butterfly release at noon. Costumes are encouraged. To view the events taking place around the city, visit Texas Butterfly Ranch online.

Scheduled events:

● Butterflies Without Borders Forum at Pearl Stable – Friday, October 19 from 11:30a.m. to 1:30p.m. Tickets available online.

● Monarch Butterfly &Pollinator Festival at Pearl – Sunday, October 21 between 10a.m. and 2p.m.- Event is free and open to the public

○ 10a.m. – People for Pollinators Parade begins at Pearl Park
○ 11a.m. – Performance by Azul Barrientos at Pearl Park
○ 10:30a.m. and 12:30p.m. – SAWS Pollinator Garden Workshop at Pearl Studio (registration required; $10)
○ 12p.m. – Butterfly release at Pearl Park
○ 1:30p.m. – Book Fairy Storytime at Pearl Parkito
○ 1p.m. – VolcĂĄn Performance
○ Ongoing – Butterfly tagging demonstrations, face painting, kite building, educational activities and more.

Historic Pearl District
Various locations throughout Pearl property
312 Pearl Parkway
San Antonio, TX  78215

Monarch butterflies tagged at Pearl arrive in Mexico

monarchbutterflyrelease
The release of Monarch butterflies at last year’s Monarch Butterfly Festival.  Photo: Matt Buikema, used with permission.

This past October, the Pearl hosted the second annual Monarch Butterfly and Pollinator Festival called ‘Butterflies without Borders.’ A few thousand San Antonians gathered at Pearl Park to witness several hundred butterflies as they were released from a custom-made Mariposa Pyramid. The mission of the festival is to raise awareness and appreciation of the insect pollinators that make one of every three bites of the food we eat possible. (Monarch Butterfly Festival, 2018)

Pearl has historically remained one of many pit stops for Monarch butterflies on their migration path and visitors will often see them when at the campus. The Pearl is excited to lend a hand in helping the butterflies on their journey to landing safely in Mexico.

Recent updates indicate that five monarch butterflies tagged at the San Antonio property in October during the 2017 Monarch Butterfly and Pollinator Festival have made it to Mexico safe and sound, marking a successful migration.  According to Texas Butterfly Ranch, these five tags that occurred at Pearl constitute 0.54% of the total 928 tags recovered and reported back to Monarch Watch–an exceptional number, given that an estimated 80,000 butterflies in total were tagged this season.