Brackenridge Park was buzzing with activity this past weekend as San Antonio commemorated the ninth annual Monarch Butterfly and Pollinator Festival. Taking place right outside the San Antonio Zoo, the festival celebrates and raises awareness for the migration of Monarch Butterflies and other pollinators that make their way through San Antonio this fall. There were many creative ways to celebrate, from the kid-centered attractions and interactive demonstrations to the pollinator plant markets.
The free celebration started nine years ago as part of the mayor’s Monarch Pledge, which made San Antonio the first Monarch Champion City. Since then, San Antonio has worked with various sponsors and organizations to keep the tradition steady. Most notable is Blooming with Birdie, a nature-based immersive educational organization, that orchestrates the event. Their mission is to connect people to nature through interactive opportunities and garnering appreciation for the interconnectedness of life.
This was present at the festival this year in the form of the “Lights Out! Bird City Maze.” In the maze, participants assume the position of a migrating bird navigating a city in the dark of night to simulate the dangers of light pollution that these birds face. In a conversation with The Paisano regarding the event, educational director Maura Bobbit stated, “When [the migrating birds] hit cities they navigate by the stars. So when they hit cities and all our lights are on, they can’t see… That maze is meant to simulate that. They will run into windows and stuff like that…” She continued, “All of our education is set up that way. It’s meant to be truly interactive. Using your mind, your body, your heart, all together, to impact behavior and make actual change.”
Beyond the maze, the event was home to dozens of booths ranging from local businesses to food trucks, all pollinator-themed and centered. Participants upon entering had the opportunity to take part in a “People as Pollinators Experiment.” This experiment invited them to choose a pollinator along with corresponding headbands and face paint. Around the park, they could find various information stations, obstacle courses and interactive exhibits related to their choice. Also scattered throughout were communal art pieces that invited passersby to add small additions to the mural, culminating in a grand image of a butterfly against a skyline. Similar to that of the following years, it is clear there was no shortage of hands-on experience and learning opportunities.
Honing back on their direct positive impact, the event also allowed festival goers to hold, tag and release Monarch Butterflies on their way to Mexico. Alongside this, various pollinator plants were being sold and given away across the park. The Alamo Colleges were present, selling trees, flowers and more directly from their student gardens. Lastly, from one side of the park to the other, attendees were accompanied by the music of the Bexar Brass and a local DJ.
Events like this make San Antonio such a unique and charming city, always striving to give back to the community and nature surrounding it. From the variety of festivals, fundraisers and citywide conservation pledges, San Antonio continues to invite its residents into a thoughtful and fun community. To learn more about the behind-the-scenes of the Monarch Migration and Pollinator Festival, make sure to check out episode 73 on the podcast from “Big City Small Town.”