Photo Caption: Certified Arkansas Master Naturalist Karen Hicks shows the Monarch Butterfly migration pattern during the presentation held in June 2022 at the Butterfly Garden.

The City of Hot Springs Parks and Trails Department and the Diamond Lakes Arkansas Master Naturalists (DLAMN) is encouraging the community to be outdoors by hosting Monarch Butterfly Mania at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 15, at the Monarch Butterfly Garden alongside the Hot Springs Creek Greenway Trail.

 This free event will begin at the Veterans Memorial with a guided leisurely stroll (approximately .75 miles one way on a paved surface) to the Monarch Butterfly Garden, located within the Valley Street Creekwalk Trail at the corner of Valley and Runyon streets. During the walk, DLAMN representatives will discuss the rich plant diversity growing along the creek. 

Once at the garden, a presentation will be given on the Monarch Butterfly Garden and its pollinators, including the release of fourth-generation monarch butterflies. The presentation will be provided by DLAMN Certified Master Naturalists Karen Hicks and Loretta West. These monarch butterflies have a seven-month life span and migrate to Central Mexico when they reach adulthood, only to return to the lower portion of the United States to breed the new first generation.

Those not able to walk the distance can meet at the Butterfly Garden at approximately 10 a.m. for the program. Parking is available near the intersection of Valley and Runyon streets. 

Tri-Lakes Ornamental Ironworks is donating a custom-made bench, which will be unveiled at the event, that will allow garden visitors a place of rest while still enjoying the pollinators and surrounding greenway features.

In case of inclement weather, the event will be rescheduled.

To register for the event, contact DLAMN Event Coordinator Bill Randel at [email protected], by visiting the DLAMN Event Calendar at www.arkansasmasternaturalists.org or find the link to register in this event’s details at www.cityhs.net/parks-calendar

The Monarch Butterfly Garden was constructed through the efforts and contributions of DLAMN and City of Hot Springs Parks & Trails Landscaping Superintendent Brian Fisher, who continue to maintain the area and use the location for events such as their semi-annual Monarch Butterfly Mania presentations.