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2009-09-14 - JOHN BALL ZOO GIVES FAMILIES A RARE OPPORTUNITY TO “LAUNCH” A MONARCH BUTTERFLY!
(Grand Rapids, MI) John Ball Zoo has something very special planned for visitors that attend the kick-off celebration of the Connecting Families with Nature program on September 19. Dr. Matthew Douglas, of Grand Rapids Community College and renowned butterfly expert, works with his students to raise Monarch Butterflies from eggs to caterpillars to chrysalis and finally to butterfly. Those hand-reared butterflies are now ready to begin their amazing annual migration to their winter home in Mexico. The release of the Monarchs will take place at John Ball Zoo (providing the weather conditions are right).
To get a chance to help tag and release the butterflies, visitors will be taking their own migration challenge. A series of migration-stations located throughout the Zoo will take them through the 2,500 mile journey as they learn the many obstacles these long-distance flying insects face. At the top of each hour from 11:00am until 3:00pm, John Ball Zoo will randomly select names of visitors that have completed their journey to take part in the release process. Everyone will be able to see and enjoy the Monarchs as they take flight.
September 19 marks the kick off of the Connecting Families with Nature program. Made possible by a grant from the Environmental Protection Agency, the Connecting Families with Nature program partners seven Kent County environmental education organizations - Kent Conservation District, John Ball Zoo, Ada Township Parks, Blandford Nature Center, Calvin College Ecosystem Preserve, Howard Christensen Nature Center, and Wittenbach/Wege Agriscience and Environmental Education Center. The collaborative program is designed to get families in touch with nature during the upcoming year. Zoo visitors will have the opportunity to get their passport and first stamp at this event.
John Ball Zoo will be open 10:00am until 4:00pm on September 19. Admission is only $3.50 for adults, $3.00 for children 13 and under and children 2 and under are free. John Ball Zoo is located at 1300 W. Fulton. For more information about John Ball Zoo: www.johnballzoosociety or (616)336-4301
Contact
For media-related questions, please contact Krys at (616) 336-4374 or by email at kbylund@johnballzoosociety.org.
