DECATUR – Discover and celebrate the power of pollinators and the Monarch butterfly as they migrate across Central Illinois in September at the fifth-annual Monarch Madness co-sponsored by the Macon County Master Gardeners and Rock Springs Nature Center. Be a part of this family friendly and hands-on celebration from 2 to 4 p.m. on Sunday, September 8.

See caterpillars, chrysalides and butterflies up close before helping to catch and tag Monarchs to track them on their 3,000-mile migration to Mexico. Learn about what you can do to help Monarchs on their journey. Family activities will include demonstrations on how to tag butterflies, Monarch waystations and face painting. One of the butterflies tagged at the 2016 Monarch Madness was later recovered at the wintering grounds of El Rosario, Mexico.

This is a free event for the community that will take place at the Rock Springs Nature Center, 3939 Nearing Lane in Decatur. For questions or additional information, please contact Vasthi Schwarz at (217) 877-6042 or vasthis@illinois.edu

The Macon County Master Gardeners are volunteers trained by University of Illinois Extension. Master Gardeners fulfill their mission of “Helping Others Learn to Grow” by volunteering their time and Horticulture skills through community gardening projects and educational outreach. To learn more about the Macon County Master Gardener program, visit go.illinois.edu/dmp or find them on Facebook.

University of Illinois Extension provides equal opportunities in programs and employment. If you need reasonable accommodation to participate in this program, please contact (217) 877-6042.