The annual Monarch butterfly fall migration and Kansas Wetlands Education Center’s third Mad About Monarchs event will be taking place on September 14. The event is being held in conjunction with other local activities in the month of September in Great Bend as part of Melting Pot Month.

Those who attend the free event from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. will receive information about the tagging process before heading out with a tagging leader to search for Monarch butterflies. Tags and nets will be provided, along with instruction on how to tag and record data about captured monarchs.

“This is one of our biggest events of the year,” said Curtis Wolf, manager of KWEC. “Last year we had over 300 people in attendance. We’re looking for a very big crowd again this year.”

In past years, Monarch butterflies have been recovered at overwintering sites in Central Mexico, about 1,125 miles away. Wolf expects an even better butterfly arrival this time around.

“Thankfully, this year the conditions are a little bit better. Last year the butterfly numbers were down with the drought it really effects their numbers too. This year the conditions are a lot better, and we’re seeing a few butterflies show up already.”

Visitors may also walk through the KWEC wildflower / butterfly garden to view butterfly-friendly plants. Kids crafts and activities are also planned in addition to door prizes and refreshments.

For more information contact KWEC at 1-877-243-9268.

– See more at: http://www.greatbendpost.com/2013/09/05/kansas-wetlands-education-center-to-put-on-mad-about-monarchs-event/#sthash.5OHgBUMH.dpuf