Monarch Mania Hits The Quad Cities

Butterflies

Butterflies go fluttering by
On colored wings that catch the eye.
On wings of orange, and silvery blue,
On wings of golden yellow, too.
Butterflies float in the air,
Making their homes most anywhere:
The rainforest, field, and prairie land,
On mountaintops, and desert sand.
If winter brings the cold and snow,
To warmer climates, off they go!
Returning home the following spring,
Beautiful butterflies on the wing!

Author Unknown

Celebrating Monarchs is a thing and it’s hitting the Quad Cities in the coming weeks. Get involved and learn about these amazing creatures, their habitat recovery, and how you can help!

Visit the Putnam Museum for Monarch Madness

Saturday, August 28
8 a.m. - 10 a.m.
1717 W 12th Street, Davenport,  IA

The first 100 children will get a pollinator-themed activity kit
*Hosted with the Scott County Master Gardeners

While you’re there you can check out the butterfly specimen on display at the Putnam or watch this great video for a Behind the Scenes Monarch Takeover.

Follow the Putnam Museum on Facebook or Instagram for more butterfly fun. Monarch Madness features educational posts and videos on Facebook and Instagram celebrating the monarch’s recovery from habitat loss and their presence in our collection!

Free to members or with paid admission.

Sunday Funday: Monarch March at the Quad City Botanical Center

Quad City Botanical Center
Sunday, September 5
1 p.m. - 3 p.m.
2525 4th Ave, Rock Island, IL

You’ll get to create your own butterfly wings before Gardener Dave will lead us all in a “flutter” of “monarchs” around the garden following the flight the butterflies. 
The flight will take place at 2 p.m.
-come early to make your wings
-wear black and orange colors like a monarch butterfly

Free to members or with paid admission. No RSVP is required.

Monarch Migration Fun Run through the Wapsi River Environmental Education Center
Saturday, September 11
9 a.m. - noon
Dixon, IL 

This 3-mile self-timed trail run benefits the Friends of the Wapsi Center
Register online
Cost is $25/person

Marvelous Migrating Monarchs at the Environmental Learning Center

Saturday, September 18
1 p.m.
3300 Cedar St., Muscatine, IA

Listen to a presentation by naturalist Michelle Berns on monarch migration and tagging. Dress to walk in tall grass, bring your butterfly nest and head to the prairie to catch and tag monarchs.
Learn more.

This program is free.

* Photo credit of monarch butterflies: Josh Parr

Written by Meghan Cooley

Meghan Cooley moved to the Quad Cities from St. Charles, IL, as an Augustana College student over 20 years ago. She left briefly after graduation and then returned to work in admissions and then marketing at Augustana College for 18 years. She now works as a consultant for admissions marketing and social media. She also does copy editing and writes for the Quad City Moms Blog. Now a true Quad Cities transplant, Meghan lives in Rock Island with her husband, Luke (R.O.W.V.A. and Augustana grad and Modern Woodmen employee) and four boys. She loves living in the Quad Cities and finds it the perfect place to raise a family, plan a date night, and go on adventures.