Friends of Hackmatack Refuge hosts Monarch Mania Fair Sunday

Posted August 21, 2016 11:00 pm

Submitted by Friends of Hackmatack

The Friends of Hackmatack National Wildlife Refuge will host a Monarch Mania Fair Sunday, Aug. 28. Pictured, from left, are: first row, Cecelia Bertelsman, Claire Gotsch, Ruby Martin and Stefanie Bogs; and back row, Kennedy Markee, Blake Bajak, Will Bajak, Dawson Maybrook, and Alyssa Rapacz. Courtesy of Friends of Hackmatack

Monarch butterfly populations have declined precipitously in recent years. Now Mexico, Canada and the United States are collaborating on a North American strategy to conserve and recover this iconic species.

Friends of Hackmatack National Wildlife Refuge invites the community to a free Monarch Mania Fair from 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 28, at Crystal Lake Main Beach Pavilion, 300 Lake Shore Drive, Crystal Lake.

Parking and entry fees waived for those coming exclusively to the Monarch Fair.

The public is welcome to attend. Attendees will learn how they can help monarch butterflies and their miraculous migration across the North American continent.

Activities include face painting, art and science activities, nature trunks, information on planting butterfly gardens and an interactive monarch migration map.

Sponsored by Friends of Hackmatack National Wildlife Refuge, the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service and the Crystal Lake Park District featuring activities from numerous conservation, education and arts groups.

For information, visit hackmatacknwr.org.

Claire Gotsch, a Creative Arts Inc. studio student, helped paint caterpillar and butterfly photo booths for the Aug. 28 Monarch Mania Fair. Courtesy of Friends of Hackmatack

Blake Bajak, Will Bajak, and Dawson Maybrook take a selfie of their butterfly paintings at Creative Arts Inc. nonprofit art studio. Courtesy of Friends of Hackmatack

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