Join Patterson Park Community Garden as we celebrate our annual Roots and Wings Festival!

This family friendly event will combine all things nature, gardening and pollinators into a fun, educational and community building experience. Learn about bee keeping, hugelkultur, native plants and so much more while you mingle with neighbors and enjoy kids crafts, live music and a Monarch butterfly puppet show!

Join us at Adelphi Acre Community Garden to explore a neighborhood garden and experience the beauty and wonder of nature and organic gardening! We're excited to offer a morning full of family activities underneath our beautiful heritage oak trees such as a scavenger hunt exploring the space and learning all about plants and wildlife, creating your own wildflower seed bombs, and a DIY pollinator wing activity!

We're also excited to chat about our composting process, provide information about gardening, and share the importance of trees and pollinators in our lives.

Join the South Austin Creek Alliance to learn more about urban waterways and their surrounding ecosystems!

After a creek clean-up, we will have an Indigenous American Four Directions blessing by Daniel Llanes. Explore the creek while learning about the main stream characters and the effects of urbanization on creek life. Explore the pop-up labyrinth and visit our many table exhibits where you can learn about fish, amphibian, and butterfly life cycles along with much more! Get science lessons from professional biologists and activists while making wildflower seed balls!

Enjoy games for kids, including a Critter & Plant iNaturalist Challenge, and taking photos at the selfie butterfly booth!

Heartwood Community Garden is excited to be hosting an official Roots & Wings Festival Event for a fourth year!

Join your neighbors to learn about pollinators, create seed bombs with beneficial native plants, and do arts and crafts! There will be something for everyone, goody bags for kiddos and snacks for all!

Join us at the Hampton Branch at Oak Hill Library for a family-friendly Roots & Wings Festival celebration of nature! Learn about pollinators by making seed balls with wildflower seeds, enjoy a special nature-themed story time, and enjoy crafts and activities for the whole family!

Come see our forest grow! Join Festival Beach Food Forest as we celebrate the inaugural tree planting of our 2 acre expansion. Our forest garden has been growing for 9 years and is now a thriving ¾ acre of outdoor community learning and gathering space. We are excited to celebrate the beginning of our forest expansion onto the remaining 2+ acres of adjacent parkland!

East Austin community leader and D3 Council Member José Velásquez will speak to our community about the importance of food producing public parkland spaces in East Austin and Jesús García of The Herbal Action project will lead a tree meditation before the tree planting ceremony. In additional to planting trees, we will plant pollinator attractors and seed wildflowers in our meadow. We will also offer a tree education workshop(possibly by TreeFolks), and guided plant walks through our existing and expanding forest. All attendees will learn about the various trees and plants growing together to create a thriving and diverse ecosystem, and our guides will discuss the regenerative practices that help us build healthy soil and fungal network.

• 2:00pm: Opening Circle and Remarks

• 2:30pm: Mini Plantwalks

• 3:30pm: Tree Planting Ceremony Begins - Tree meditation & honoring the 4 directions

• 4:00pm: Tree Panting in Small Groups

• 4:30pm Ceremony ends - Begin Live Music, Festivities & Activities

• 5:00pm: Words From our Partners & Community Leaders

• 6:00pm: Closing Remarks and Community Celebrations

Activities include: - Make your own wildflower seed balls - Enjoy teas made with forest plants - Grapevine crowns or wreaths - Kids Nature Play Activities & Art - Learn more about our co-host’s tabling!

Please wear light, comfortable clothing and a sun hat/sun protection. Hand tools and gloves are provided for anyone participating in tree planting. Bring your water bottle. See you there!

Rain Date: Sat. Oct. 26th at 2pm

Discover the magic of nature with Urban Forest Explorers: Nature Play at APL!

Children can explore roots, mushrooms, rocks, fossils, and bugs through interactive, hands-on stations that inspire curiosity and learning.

This event is perfect for young nature enthusiasts to engage with the natural world in a playful and educational setting!

Join the City of Austin Park Rangers at the Zilker Caretaker Cottage for a Roots and Wings tabling event! This educational event will have activities such as seed ball making, butterfly-themed crafts and games. Come on out and learn all about pollinators!

Join Pease Park Conservancy for Pocket Prairie Workshop, celebrating the 7th Annual Roots & Wings Festival at Austin's first and oldest park!

Prairie & savanna ecosystems are important in Central Texas because they supply important food and shelter for pollinators like butterflies, bees, moths, birds, and bats. The understory trees found in these habitats offer important ecosystem services to humans and animals alike.

🌳 What to Expect: During the learning component, we will take the time to talk about creating Pocket Prairies at home to support our pollinator species, focusing on topics like:

• Healthy soils and ways to support them

• What a Seed Bank is and how to reset it

• Benefits and factors to consider when creating pocket prairies at home

After the brief lesson, we will get in the weeds through a hands-on project, where we will build a pocket prairie in the riparian area of Kingsbury Commons - a part of the park that we are constantly working in to remove invasive species and replace them with those endemic to our region of Central Texas. After the event, we hope you have some more insight into these valuable habitats, and the materials to create your own Pocket Prairie - whether that be a backyard or a balcony - using common materials found at home (recycled boxes, paper). Instruction and resources will also be provided in Spanish to those who need it.

🥾 What to Bring and Wear: Please bring a refillable water bottle to stay hydrated and wear comfortable weather-appropriate shoes and clothing that you do not mind getting dirty. Additionally, please wear long pants and closed-toed shoes. We will provide all necessary materials, including gloves, but you are welcome to bring your own pair.

🚘 Where to Park & Alternative Modes of Transportation: We highly encourage alternate forms of transportation such as walking, biking, public transportation, carpooling, or rideshare when visiting Pease Park. If you drive there is a small parking lot in Kingsbury Commons (1100 Kingsbury Street) and available street parking along parkway. Additional FREE parking can be found at the Austin Recreation Center parking lot (1301 Shoal Creek Blvd) or the ACC Rio Grande Parking Garage (824 W 12th Street). Both of these options connect to Pease Park via a short walk along the Shoal Creek Trail.

🗺 Where to Meet: Once you arrive please meet a PPC staff member at the volunteer hub. This is the large metal building just next to the restrooms and amphitheater. You can get to this spot by following either of the two concrete paths

🌧 Weather: In the event of inclement weather, check your email before heading to the park. We will notify you by email if we need to cancel. Should the event be canceled the expected rain date will be Sunday, October 27th.

RSVP Here! Please let us know if you have any questions or if you think you will no longer be able to attend here. A Note About Pease Park Conservancy Events: If you sign up, please make every effort to show up. Our events are free so all of our community members can attend. But we plan our events to be meaningful for the number of people who register to be there, so please make every effort to attend if you have registered. We understand things come up from time to time, but If you have registered we look forward to having you there! Thank you!

Join Travis County Balcones Canyonlands Preserve and City of Austin Balcones Canyonlands Preserve for our Endangered Species Habitat Restoration Tree Planting! We will be planting trees and scattering seeds to restore the degraded habitat into a diverse, healthy woodland at the JJ&T and Medway tracts. All experience levels are welcome as we will teach you everything you need to know the day of.

We'll provide tools and gloves for you to use, though you're welcome to bring your own if you'd prefer. Please bring plenty of water and wear closed-toe shoes or boots and long pants for this activity. There will be off trail hiking over rocky, uneven, and steep terrain and no bathrooms or running water available. If you are a new volunteer to the Travis County BCP, please fill out a waiver using this link: https://traviscountytx.jotform.com/222756705037962.

Directions and details sent upon registration.

Rain Date: Sat. Nov. 2nd at 9am

Join Ecology Action for a kid friendly event! We will be set up near the playground and have hands on activities including making seed balls, planting pollinator plants, and tables for kids to learn about important pollinator species found in the park!

Rain Date: Sun. Nov. 3rd, 10am

Join us at the North Village Branch to celebrate our urban forest ecosystem, with a special focus on butterflies! We will welcome author and illustrator Tracy Dockray to read her exciting new picture book, "Butterfly Island and the Invincible Crew", all about pollinator protectors! We will also have butterfly crafts, snacks, and activities! Participants can also take home a tree sapling to plant in their yard. Children and families of all ages welcome!

ArtSmart is a series that looks at different forms of art and storytelling to deepen audiences' connection to their artistic creations. Join the Milwood Branch for a look at how butterflies influence many designs and artforms you see throughout Hispanic and Latino cultures, especially during the Dia de los Muertos time of the year! Come ready to create and appreciate the beauty that butterflies bring to art!

Join us at Brush Square in downtown Austin for "Page Turner Butterflies"! Craft your own origami butterfly from recycled book pages and take home a complimentary packet of pollinator-friendly seeds to plant in your garden or ours.

While you're here, take a glimpse into early Austin's history by exploring both the Susanna Dickinson Museum and the O. Henry Museum.

Join us at the Hampton Branch for a morning of imaginative play! Designed for young learners, Imagination Station encourages learning through play. Discover the arts, practice your motor skills, and start your STEM exploration.

This month, learn about a variety of native pollinators, build a mushroom-based world-wide web, learn how trees carry water, learn to be a tree ID hero, and more!

Session 1: 10:00 - 10:45 am

Session 2: 11:00 - 11:45 am

Join us at Brush Square in downtown Austin for "Page Turner Butterflies"! Craft your own origami butterfly from recycled book pages and take home a complimentary packet of pollinator-friendly seeds to plant in your garden or ours.

While you're here, take a glimpse into early Austin's history by exploring both the Susanna Dickinson Museum and the O. Henry Museum.

Join us at the Southeast Branch to celebrate our urban forest ecosystem, with a special focus on butterflies! We will welcome author and illustrator Tracy Dockray to read her exciting new picture book, "Butterfly Island and the Invincible Crew", all about pollinator protectors! We will also have butterfly crafts, snacks, and activities! Participants can also take home a tree sapling to plant in their yard. Children and families of all ages welcome!

Join us at Brush Square in downtown Austin for "Page Turner Butterflies"! Craft your own origami butterfly from recycled book pages and take home a complimentary packet of pollinator-friendly seeds to plant in your garden or ours.

While you're here, take a glimpse into early Austin's history by exploring both the Susanna Dickinson Museum and the O. Henry Museum.

We welcome all to come spend the day and learn about the local ecosystem, participate in eco-art, and enjoy the beautiful St. Edward's, two year-old Food Forest. We will discuss how to get the absolute most out of plants, ranging from edible and medicinal uses, pollination science, cultural uses, and biophilic use through art.

The best way to learn about plants is by getting your hands dirty, so following our guest speakers, attendees will have the opportunity to plant pollinator plants and native shrubs.

We will also have kids activities, such as making seed balls, painting, and more! Bring your friends and family, and enjoy nature, socializing, and refreshments on the Hilltop!

Rain Date: Sat. Nov. 2nd at 10am

Is your garden in need of a little TLC, or are you dreaming of starting one? We've got just the thing! Come fall back in love with your garden at the Grow Green Fall Garden Party!

Picture this: chatting with garden gurus who know all the secrets to creek-friendly gardening, and leaving with freebies like a plant, a tree, and more garden goodies! Got a pesky plant problem? The Master Gardeners will be on call at the plant clinic to help you out. And hey, don't leave the kiddos at home! We will have crafts and activities for all ages, including making seed balls & butterfly masks that are sure to get those creative juices flowing!

We'll also have Blooms & Bees: A Rain Garden and Native Plant Tour at Givens, where you can explore how native and adapted plants thrive in our local climate. Learn how eco-friendly landscape features, like rain gardens, can help manage rainwater naturally, while supporting pollinators and adding beauty to your space.

We'll have plenty of snacks, drinks, and good vibes to keep the garden party going. And because it's Halloween season, we say bring on the costumes, especially if they're plant-themed. Plus, don't miss your chance to enter our prize drawing for a special garden-themed gift that will make your day even brighter. Let's make this a garden party to remember!

Join Zilker Botanical Garden in our Roots & Wings Festival Celebration on October 26th!

Visit the Garden to celebrate trees, pollinators, and our community and learn how to maintain trees, tag butterflies for scientific research, build homes for local pollinators, make seed balls, and much more!

This family friendly festival features crafts, activities, and workshops throughout the day!

This festival event is included with General Admission. Free for Conservancy members & those participating in Museums for All, which invites all families with an EBT card, WIC, STAR/CHIP, SNAP, Medicaid, or MAP identification card to gain free access to Zilker Botanical Garden!

Rain Date: Sat. Nov. 2nd, 10am

Join the Windsor Park Branch Library community at its Un-Bee-lievable Pollinators Festival!

This festival event will be a celebration of bees as nature's energetic little pollinators. Bee Keeper Konrad Bouffard, of Round Rock Honey will lead us in learning how bees make honey, how to identify pollens and nectars in honey by taste, and discovering meaningful ways to save bees.

Many other activities include Bee-themed art activities, felt insect masks, wildflower plantings, honey flavor pairings, face painting, seed bombs, Cheetos pollinating activity, fort building, seed/plant swap, bird houses, DIY bee windchime and an opportunity to receive a sapling from the Texas Forest Service, plus more!

Celebrate nature at our Windsor Park Branch during the Roots and Wings Festival with Urban Forest Explorers! There will be a booth at their Un-BEE-Lievable Pollinators Festival featuring interactive nature play where kids can discover the wonders of roots, mushrooms, rocks, fossils, and bugs. It’s a fun, hands-on experience that invites young adventurers to learn about the hidden treasures of the forest ecosystem!

Join us at Brush Square in downtown Austin for "Page Turner Butterflies"! Craft your own origami butterfly from recycled book pages and take home a complimentary packet of pollinator-friendly seeds to plant in your garden or ours.

While you're here, take a glimpse into early Austin's history by exploring both the Susanna Dickinson Museum and the O. Henry Museum.

Join Red Salmon Arts/ Casa de Resistencia Books for a Roots & Wings Festival Event Series!

Oct. 5th, 8:30am-11:30am: "Café Librito & Garden Daze", a bilingual interactive program, where we will plant a mushroom trail on the land at Red Salmon Arts, watch a movie, and make mini zines! Together we will prepare the land, plants, and fungi for our UV night walk for "Cafe Librito: 2024 Dia de los Muertos Festival". No experience needed! Come learn with us! After planting, volunteers are welcome to our Cine Resistenica where we will watch a film about the intersection of pollinator plants, monarch butterflies, and Dia de los Muertos! Don't miss our mini zine workshop where we will create bilingual mini zines about fungi, native pollinators, and Dia De Los Muertos to inform our communities about the importance of pollinators and our cultural traditions!

October 26th 7pm- 9pm (Rain date: 11/2): "Cafe Librito: 2024 Dia de los Muertos Festival" Join us for an evening of honoring our ancestors and cultura! Bring the family to enjoy:

• live music food & drinks

• BIPOC vendor market

• bilingual kid’s storytime

• kid’s crafting

• guided fungi UV night walk with Central Texas Mycology

Guests will hand pick flowers from our very own Resistencia Community Garden. Together, the community will build an altar to our ancestors with cempasuchiles, mano de leon, and amaranth flowers.

Everyone is encouraged to leave pictures (copies) and offerings for their loved ones! Goodie bag giveaways include the books, “Papá's Magical Water-Jug Clock” and “Lotli”, native pollinator seed mixes, & cempasuchil flowers for family altars at home.

• 7:00pm: Opening Ceremony

  • Guests can bring their ofrendas for the altar andcut fresh flowers from garden for altar

  • Goodie Bag Giveaway: children books, native pollinator seed mixes, and zines

• 7:30pm: Kids Bilingual Storytime (inside) with Lotli Illustrated Book about the origin of the Monarch Butterfly & Papá's Magical Water-Jug Clock

• 8:00pm: Bilingual Fungi UV Night Walk guided by Central Texas Mycology Jesus Garcia

• 8:30pm: Open Mic poetry

• 9:00pm: Event Ends

Ongoing Activities!

• BIPOC Vendor Market

• Live Music

• Arts & Crafts Tables

• Making mariposa wings

• Making seed balls

• Painting paper mache skulls

November 2nd, 8:30am-11:30am: During Native American heritage month, our Native Roots program activities will center around The Three Sisters/Milpa, (currently growing in our Resistencia Community Garden). We will intertwine indigenous storytelling centering, celebrating corn, harvest songs, and craft corn husk dolls in partnership with Central Texas Cherokee Township!

Join us at Brush Square in downtown Austin for "Page Turner Butterflies"! Craft your own origami butterfly from recycled book pages and take home a complimentary packet of pollinator-friendly seeds to plant in your garden or ours.

While you're here, take a glimpse into early Austin's history by exploring both the Susanna Dickinson Museum and the O. Henry Museum.

Join us at Yarborough Branch for a morning of imaginative play! Designed for young learners, Imagination Station encourages learning through play. Discover the arts, practice your motor skills, and start your STEM exploration.

This month, learn about a variety of native pollinators, build a mushroom-based world-wide web, learn how trees carry water, learn to be a tree ID hero, and more!

ArtSmart is a series that looks at different forms of art and storytelling to deepen audiences' connection to their artistic creations. Join the Yarborough Branch for two sessions that look at how butterflies influence many designs and artforms you see throughout Hispanic and Latino cultures, especially during the Dia de los Muertos time of the year! Come ready to create and appreciate the beauty that butterflies bring to art!

Session 1: 9:30 am - 10:30 am

Session 2: 10:30 am - 11:30 am

Join us at Brush Square in downtown Austin for "Page Turner Butterflies"! Craft your own origami butterfly from recycled book pages and take home a complimentary packet of pollinator-friendly seeds to plant in your garden or ours.

While you're here, take a glimpse into early Austin's history by exploring both the Susanna Dickinson Museum and the O. Henry Museum.

Join us at the University Hills Branch to celebrate our urban forest ecosystem, with a special focus on butterflies! We will welcome author and illustrator Tracy Dockray to read her exciting new picture book, "Butterfly Island and the Invincible Crew", all about pollinator protectors! We will also have butterfly crafts, snacks, and activities! Participants can also take home a tree sapling to plant in their yard. Children and families of all ages welcome!

ArtSmart is a series that looks at different forms of art and storytelling to deepen audiences' connection to their artistic creations. Join the University Hills Branch for a look at how butterflies influence many designs and artforms you see throughout Hispanic and Latino cultures, especially during the Dia de los Muertos time of the year! Come ready to create and appreciate the beauty that butterflies bring to art!

ArtSmart is a series that looks at different forms of art and storytelling to deepen audiences' connection to their artistic creations. Join the Central Branch for two sessions that look at how butterflies influence many designs and artforms you see throughout Hispanic and Latino cultures, especially during the Dia de los Muertos time of the year! Come ready to create and appreciate the beauty that butterflies bring to art!

Join us at Brush Square in downtown Austin for "Page Turner Butterflies"! Craft your own origami butterfly from recycled book pages and take home a complimentary packet of pollinator-friendly seeds to plant in your garden or ours.

While you're here, take a glimpse into early Austin's history by exploring both the Susanna Dickinson Museum and the O. Henry Museum.

Join Concordia University for an environmental stewardship service event during the City's Roots & Wings Festival 2024!

Participate, discover, and learn the importance of creating sustainable habitats for butterflies and other pollinators! There will be opportunity to plant TX native perennial species and spread wildflower seeds to support and attract pollinators. All are welcome for this life changing adventure!

Join Windsor Park Neighborhood Association at Bartholomew Park, which brings together various climate and neighborhood organizations and the neighborhood! The main program of the event is Shade the Streets, which will identify locations in the neighborhood for shade trees and then give interested homeowners two free trees, mulch, and tree planting and care training. Our goal is to provide shade near the streets to reduce the heat island effect in Windsor Park.

This expo will include Tree Folks, providing planting and care training every hour and distributing 800 trees! Tree Amigos will be providing tree care and planting for the neighborhood bike lanes and trails. Austin Energy will be promoting their many energy saving and renewable programs. Congressman Lloyd Doggett will be on hand to promote federal tax rebate programs for energy saving appliances and systems, and Citizens Climate Lobby, Austin Sierra Club, Austin Climate Parents, and WP Climate Committee will be providing data and opportunities for involvement.

And for the kids, Austin Creative Reuse will be hosting an arts table for children to make butterflies, and Austin Parks will be hosting a kids tree climbing and rappelling program!

Rain Date: Sun. Nov 3rd at 12pm

Dive into a day of discovery, fun, and eco-friendly excitement at Easton Park's Nature and Sustainability Fest! Connect with nature, meet local wildlife, and learn how you can make a positive impact on our planet. With hands-on activities, fascinating exhibits, and opportunities to meet passionate experts, there's something for everyone.

Don't miss this chance to be a part of our vibrant, green community!

Please bring your kids ages 5-12 and join Dove Springs Proud to learn about Franklin Park. Each child who attends will be given a cape and a mask to become a park superhero and learn about the butterfly life cycle, help plant trees, clean up the park & learn more about the type of trees in the park as well as enjoy the playground. There will be butterfly-themed art activities & more. Light food & water will be provided.

Rain Date: Sun. Nov. 3rd at 3pm.

Join us for an exciting and educational event at the Austin Nature & Science Center, featuring D'Andra from Healthy Hive, the non-profit organization behind Me and the Bees Lemonade, and Konrad Bouffard, the founder of Round Rock Honey!

They'll be presenting all about the fascinating world of bees. Learn about these incredible pollinators and their vital role in our ecosystem. Enjoy hands-on activities like seed ball creation and a pollination simulator, get creative with art activities, and craft your own pollinator masks and antennae! Plus, take home a sapling and educational materials to help you care for your new plant! This event is free and open to the public and we'll have bilingual staff present for the outdoor activities.

Únase a nosotros para un evento emocionante y educativo en el Austin Nature & Science Center, con D'Andra de Healthy Hive, la organización detrás de Me and the Bees Lemonade, y Konrad Bouffard, el fundador de Round Rock Honey.

Presentarán todo sobre el fascinante mundo de las abejas. Aprenda sobre estos increíbles polinizadores y su papel vital en nuestro ecosistema. Disfrute de actividades prácticas como la creación de bolas de semillas y un simulador de polinización, sea creativo con actividades artísticas y cree su propias máscaras y antenas de polinizadores. Además, llévate a casa un retoño y materiales educativos que te ayudarán a cuidar tu nueva planta. Este evento es gratis y abierto al publico. Tendremos personal bilingüe presente para las actividades al aire libre.

Join us at Brush Square in downtown Austin for "Page Turner Butterflies"! Craft your own origami butterfly from recycled book pages and take home a complimentary packet of pollinator-friendly seeds to plant in your garden or ours.

While you're here, take a glimpse into early Austin's history by exploring both the Susanna Dickinson Museum and the O. Henry Museum.

Join North Village Branch for the Garden Club Team Up Plant Show to see and learn about the unique plants of the Austin Bonsai Society and the Austin Cactus & Succulent Society! Plus, come learn about beekeeping and honey production from beekeeper Konrad Bouffard of Round Rock Honey!

Full Gallop's event is back again this year at a new venue that prides itself on preserving its ecosystem and respecting the location and land, Cosmic Saltillo. This event will celebrate Texas Arbor Day and the monarch migration as well as the Dia de los Muertos tradition of Mexico and its ties to the migrating butterflies. Music by Mira Mira.

In case of rain, this event will be held under the awnings of Cosmic Saltillo. Produced by Full Gallop and hosted by Cosmic Saltillo @fullgalloparts fullgalloparts.com @cosmicsaltillo (instagram)

Join us at Chaparral Crossing Farmers' Market for a Nature Celebration event! We will have live music, fun activities and crafts for the entire family, and educational materials about pollinators!

Join the Bullock Museum for a pollinator-themed H-E-B Free First Sunday!

Enjoy FREE exhibition admission all day during H-E-B Free First Sundays, held the first Sunday of every month. Explore the Story of Texas through three floors of exhibitions that showcase and tell the history of artifacts from around the state!

Pollinator-themed activities are from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m, with so many things to do!

• Start your own Texas wildflower field by making pollinator-friendly seed balls with Zilker Botanical Garden

• Sample local honey, explore beekeeping equipment and see live bees up close in an observation hive with The Texas Beekeepers Association

• Learn about pollinator science and conservation with The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation • Make a pollinator-antenna headband and interact with beekeeping tools and bee products with Two Hives Honey

• Discover the connection between pollinators and plants through activities from the Wildflower Research Center

• Make a mushroom craft and learn about mushrooms in Texas, including the new state mushroom, the Texas Star Mushroom with Central Texas Mycology

• Learn about exploring nature in Austin with Whole Earth Provision Co.

• Join our friends at Girlstart for interactive STEM demos and hands-on activities for kids of all ages.

• At 11:30am & 12:30pm, come listen to pollinator-themed stories with Westbank Library

Celebrate nature at Dottie Jordan Park during the Roots and Wings Festival with Urban Forest Explorers! This event offers interactive nature play stations where kids can discover the wonders of roots, mushrooms, rocks, fossils, and bugs. It’s a fun, hands-on experience that invites young adventurers to learn about the hidden treasures of the forest ecosystem!

Join The VORTEX for a Roots and Wings event featuring our beautiful Nationally Certified Butterfly Garden and celebrating the life cycle of the butterfly!

Kick-off community parade at 5pm, come dressed as your favorite butterfly or flower and join in! Costume contest at 6:30pm with a fun prize featuring a plant from Tillery Street Plant Company and goods from local businesses. Enjoy educational fun-tivities for all ages, including making butterfly art, playing games, and more! Alex Cogburn, Keeper of the Butterfly Sanctuary, will unveil new educational placards for our butterfly plants, lead tours of the Butterfly Garden, and interview "The Egg, Caterpillar, Butterfly, and Plant" in a skit that's delightful and informative! Tillery Street Plant Company and They Might Be Monkeys will also talk about native plants and tree care.

Enjoy live music featuring local musicians and pop-ups including Save our Springs, The North American Butterfly Association, Reggie Rap's Room, Girl Scout Troop 42121, and more! Refreshments available from The Butterfly Bar @ The VORTEX and Patrizi's Italian Food Truck.