These folks pictured at Jill’s Garden in DeKorte Park were among 20 people who participated in a butterfly photography workshop at the park earlier this afternoon. A majestic Monarch was among the species spotted.

On Saturday, July 30, we look forward to seeing everyone scoping out butterflies at our annual Butterfly Day festival at DeKorte Park. This year’s event takes place from 10 am to 3 pm. The free, family-friendly day includes walks, talks and plenty of activities for the kids, including a scavenger hunt, crafts and a costume contest.

Experts from the Bergen County Audubon Society and the North American Butterfly Association – North Jersey Chapter will be on hand to help locate and identify the butterflies. Rain date is Sunday, July 31. Register for the free event here.

Did you know that National Moth Week is this month? On Monday, July 25, from 8:30 to 10 pm we’ll be celebrating these spectacular yet misunderstood cousins of butterflies at DeKorte.

National Moth Night includes a talk by the co-founder of National Moth Week, and industrial-strength lamps and white sheets will be set up in the park to attract moths for easy viewing. National Moth Night is a free event. Sign-up here.

Monarch on Milkweed by Marie Longo

For the typical backyard gardener planting time usually slows down in summer, but it’s very important to remember there is still plenty of time to add or introduce milkweed to your backyard habitat.

Monarchs are just beginning to deposit eggs in our area and will be well into August. Remember, the female monarch does not need the plant to be flowering in order for them to lay eggs. All they need are the leaves of the milkweed and of course as we should all know by now, NO MILKWEED, NO MONARCH BUTTERFLIES!

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