On Sunday, March 22, Grace Episcopal Church will host “March Monarch Madness,” an all-day, free workshop for the community focused on the endangered monarch butterflies and strategies to protect their diminished habitats. Event coordinator Lisa Lemza invites all to “come and learn about the monarchs and why they, and all our pollinators, are in such trouble,” emphasizing that “it is time we learned to care for ‘the least of these’ in every sense.”’
Grace, awarded the honor of “Certified Butterfly Garden” by the North American Butterfly Association, will hold a butterfly and pollinator liturgy at 12:20 p.m.
Free milkweed plants, essential for monarchs, will be distributed following the liturgy.
After the liturgy, event goers may enjoy a free lunch and plant sale, followed by an educational workshop. Ina Warren, monarch mentor and environmental educator, will discuss the problems faced by monarchs and actionable solutions, Craig Walker of the Barn Nursery will give a “state of pesticides,” and they will both be available to answer questions during a Q & A session. Door prizes, courtesy of Belvoir Gardens, will be awarded after the Q & A. Everyone is invited to stay for a post-event volunteer planting in the Pavilion in support of the 501(c)3 non-profit Trailhead Nursery.
March Monarch Madness sponsors include the Chattanooga Area Landscape Professionals, Belvoir Gardens, Grace Gardeners, and Trailhead Nursery. A suggested, but not required, donation of $5 will benefit Trailhead Nursery.
Schedule:
Spiritual: 12:20 p.m. - Butterfly/Pollinator Liturgy after church in the pavilion. Free milkweed plants
Physical: 1-2 p.m. - Lunch and plant sale
Intellectual: 2-4:30 p.m. - Workshop on monarchs and pesticides (Ina Warren and Craig Walker)
Service: Volunteer planting in the pavilion in support of Trailhead Nursery.