The monarch butterfly is known for its extraordinary migration journey spanning thousands of miles, from Canada to Mexico. San Antonio plays a crucial role in this journey, serving as a critical stopover for monarchs during both their northbound and southbound migrations. As the butterflies travel to and from their wintering grounds in central Mexico, they pass through Texas, where they find essential resources to fuel their long flight.
San Antonio, as a certified Monarch Champion City, actively supports the preservation of monarch butterflies through a variety of initiatives. The city participates in the National Wildlife Federation's Mayors' Monarch Pledge, which commits communities to create habitats and educate residents about conservation. Local efforts include planting milkweed, the primary host plant for monarch caterpillars, and cultivating nectar-rich flowers that provide food for adult butterflies. Many public parks and green spaces in San Antonio are now designed to be butterfly-friendly, further supporting the monarch population.
The monarch’s presence in San Antonio also highlights the city’s connection to broader environmental and ecological issues. The species’ migration is increasingly under threat from habitat loss, climate change, and pesticide use. San Antonio's conservation efforts reflect a growing awareness of the need to preserve ecosystems that sustain not only monarch butterflies but also countless other species that rely on healthy habitats.
This Saturday the 9th Annual Monarch Butterfly & Pollinator Festival will be held from 9 a.m. to 1p.m. at Brackenridge Park.
Over 30 educational partners will provide hands-on, nature-based experiences for children and adults to over an expected over 3,500 attendees.
This is a free event and open to the public.
Guest:
Ashley Bird is the acting director of the San Antonio Monarch Butterfly and Pollinator Festival and is the founder of Blooming with Birdie.
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*This interview will be recorded on Thursday, October 3, 2024.
