By Blake Jackson
Pollinators play a vital role in Missouri’s ecosystems, often going unnoticed despite their essential work in helping plants reproduce and sustaining intricate food webs.
To highlight their importance, the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC), in collaboration with Columbia Public Schools, is hosting a special event on September 17 focused on one of the state’s most well-known pollinators, the monarch butterfly. The free event will take place from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Boone County Nature School in Columbia.
Attendees can begin by exploring the nature school grounds from 5 to 6 p.m., enjoying the opportunity to observe local wildlife and habitats. From 6 to 7 p.m., MDC staff will provide an informative presentation on the Monarch Watch Tagging Program. The session will explain how the program works and share ways the public can participate in monarch conservation efforts.
The event welcomes participants ages 4 and up, making it a family-friendly opportunity to learn about pollinators and their critical role in the environment. Registration is required and can be completed online at http://short.mdc.mo.gov/ok4.
For additional questions, attendees may contact Brian Flowers via email at brian.flowers@mdc.mo.gov. The Boone County Nature School is located at 8989 S. Tom Bass Road, Columbia.
Photo Credit: istock-herreid
Categories: Missouri, General