2025 was Indian Creek Nature Center’s 10th annual Monarch Fest, and with over 1600 people, the largest one to date. Having the Iowa Children’s Museum present, caterpillar adoptions, native plant giveaway, pollinator crafts, seed ball making, and butterfly releases, it could be easy to assume that Monarch Fest is just a fun, family event. However, many valuable lessons are being learned.
Take A Deep Dive into the Magic of Monarch Fest
Cammie, a volunteer who has donated many plants, helps participants decide the best ones for their yard.
What a social media user said:
“We’ve been going to Monarch Fest since 2018 and adopted a caterpillar every year. This year, we got some plants (thank you!!!). We want to make a little butterfly garden in our yard.”
Good Neighbor Iowa aims to reduce urban pesticide use and encourage appreciation of diverse lawns as a way to protect child health, water quality, pets, pollinators, and biodiversity.
What our volunteer said:
"Many people who stopped at the Good Neighbor Iowa table took home yard signs so they could proudly display that they had a pesticide-free yard. Those who said they still used some form of toxic chemical on weeds took the homemade herbicide recipe card, which offers a less toxic option to get rid of weeds."
Reading about and picking out plants at the native plant giveaway.
What our volunteer Cammie said:
"What really struck me was the excitement and desire of all individuals who came through the plant giveaway to create a native habitat that benefits monarchs and pollinators. Some folks are returning year after year to increase their habitat and others are just beginning. I really enjoy helping people on their journey!"
Looking through a simple microscope at butterfly scales, a monarch egg, male and female wings, and a tiny caterpillar.
What our volunteer Kelle said:
"There were plenty of gasps as they watched the tiny caterpillar chomping away on the milkweed leaf. Most of the youngsters encouraged the adults with them to come and look."
Volunteer Roberta planted and cared for most of the plants given away at the native plant giveaway.
What a staff member said:
"Each year I plant more native wildflowers, insects and birds noticeably increase. For the first time this year, bluebirds attempted to nest, and goldfinches, chipmunks and bunnies have been plentiful this summer. We also have a vegetable garden. Everything is coexisting well."
A participant picks out the perfect monarch caterpillar to adopt, care for and release.
What a staff member said:
“Through caring for a caterpillar participants learn of its needs and deepen their concern for the monarch population. They are inspired to make changes like planting and protecting milkweed, planting native wildflowers, and eliminating chemical use in their yards.”
After picking up a monarch caterpillar, participants visit the information tables hosted by Monarchs in Eastern Iowa.
What our volunteer said:
“My BS in Wildlife Biology deepened my interest in and respect for everything in nature. It also heightened my awareness of the need to instill this same passion in young people. Volunteering at the education table at Monarch Fest always affords me the opportunity to watch and teach.”
A retired teacher is happy to see a former student and his son come through while he is volunteering at the education table.
What our volunteer said:
“It was a joy to see so many parents or grandparents come through the caterpillar education table with their children and watching the excitement on their faces. We were also amazed at the high number of young children who already knew a great deal about monarchs. It was cool listening to them 'teach' their parents.”
Seed ball rolling station with Milkweed Matters and Johnson County Master Gardeners
What our volunteer said:
"The beauty of the milkweed and wildflower seed balls is that they contain the soil necessary for the seeds to grow. You just need to toss them in your gardens at home.”
Auggie Bergstrom of the Monarch Research Station lead three butterfly releases at Monarch Fest.
What a staff member says:
"Monarch Research Station is to thank for providing all butterflies for the releases and most of the caterpillars for adoptions."
A participant watches a recently released monarch drink nectar from a flower.
What Monarch Research does:
Monarch Research is spearheading an initiative to revitalize monarch butterfly populations while simultaneously restoring native habitats and replenishing the region's tree canopy.
Visit monarchresearch.org to learn more about their innovative programs.
A family with young children strolling through the Hoop House looking for monarch butterflies.
What our volunteer Brigitta said:
"People really enjoyed finding the butterflies in the house. Each time a visitor would point one out, it felt like a special discovery. Since many of the butterflies were resting near the top of the house looking up to find them made it feel even more ethereal."
Muscatine Pollinator Project provides education on enhancing new pollinator habitats and helping pollinators.
Volunteers shared great tips, including:
Planting a small patch of milkweed in your garden along with nectar sources for butterflies creates a Monarch Way Station.
Get started with the free booklet "The World Beneath Your Feet" from the Iowa Living Trust Fund.
Seed catalogs have lots of information on native plants.
It’s a definite bonus getting to reconnect with your Creekside Forest School teacher in the summer!
Preschool teachers volunteering at Monarch Fest adds to the excitement and helps build a sense of community between families and the Nature Center.