Butterfly Flutterby returns to Chihuahuan Desert Nature Park

Did you know that New Mexico attracts more butterflies than any other state except Texas and Arizona? With over 300 different species, including swallowtails, skippers, brushfoots and the state butterfly, the Sandia Hairstreak, New Mexico is a butterfly mecca.

The Asombro Institute for Science Education invites you to celebrate these beautiful creatures with the return of the Butterfly Flutterby, part of Asombro’s Wildlife Wonders series. This family-friendly event will take place 9 a.m.-12 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 24, at Asombro’s outdoor classroom, the Chihuahuan Desert Nature Park, 56501 N. Jornada Road in Las Cruces.

According to a news release, the event will feature butterfly experts and displays from the New Mexico State University Arthropod Collection. Other attractions include arts and crafts with artist Kay Gross, results from the New Mexico Butterfly Monitoring Network surveys at the Nature Park, games, butterfly conservation information with experts from the Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation and more.

A child peers at a specimen through a microscope at the annual Butterfly Flutterby in Las Cruces.

Participants can collect three special-edition trading cards highlighting butterflies in our region. The institute will also unveil its newest interpretive sign at the Chihuahuan Desert Nature Park, featuring desert pollinators.

The Butterfly Flutterby is supported, in part, by a grant from the Carroll Petrie Foundation. This event is free to the public but a suggested donation of $5 per person or $10 per family is appreciated. Organizers also suggested carpooling, as parking is limited.

The Asombro Institute for Science Education is a nonprofit organization that provides hands-on desert science education programs for more than 24,000 students and 1,000 teachers annually. More information about the organization, its programs and volunteer opportunities is available at 575-524-3334 or Asombro.org.