Topanga Butterfly Day

PHOTOS BY BILL BUERGE

To engage the community in learning and activism on behalf of pollinators, we have invited key regional environmental groups. Local agencies include Greener Empowerment Foundation and Sassafras Shoppe & Nursery that collaborate on the Topanga Pollinator Stewardship program that has established pollinator gardens in Topanga and neighboring Santa Monica Mountain and valley communities, at schools, businesses and public and private properties with funding from the Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation and former Supervisor Sheila Kuehl.

We also welcome Tree People, California Native Plant Society, Topanga State Park Docents, and the Resource Conservation District of the Santa Monica Mountains, agencies committed to the conservation of native lands, native plants and essential habitat areas.

The Mermaid’s Native Plant Nursery, organized by Sergio Jimenez and his family, will be selling native pollinator plants so event participants can start their own gardens.

Malibu Monarch Project and Baby Rhino Rescue will share about the endangered monarch butterfly and rhino conservation efforts; Topanga Animal Rescue staff will talk about their wildlife rescue work in the region; Poison Free Malibu has advocated for years the importance of eliminating pesticides; and Full Circle Compost will demonstrate how to make a home composting system that can reduce your carbon footprint while enriching the soil.

As government liaisons, the Topanga Town Council and Topanga Creek Watershed Committee will demonstrate their year-round advocacy on behalf of environmental conservation in Topanga and the Santa Monica Mountains.

Schools have been a vital participant in this event. This year, meet students from Topanga Mountain School (TMS ) and Topanga Elementary Charter School (TECS) who have engaged in the Topanga Pollinator Stewardship program developing habitat areas on their campuses. TMS includes a focus on outdoor learning and environmental education and its students have planted several pollinator areas, an extensive edible garden, have developed rain harvesting systems, worm farms, and plan to bring composting and a flock of chickens to their permaculture-influenced curriculum. TECS includes science and the visual and performing arts as two pillars of its charter and has a longstanding commitment to environmental education, conservation, and gardening.

Will Geer’s Theatricum Botanicum has long-established gardens filled with plants from William Shakespeare’s time and repertory cast members will discuss the ongoing restoration of creekside habitat around the theater. They will also perform vignettes from this year’s repertory season that begins in June.

A full day of live music, activities for children, and delicious food complete the event. Children will enjoy face painting, the wonderful live butterfly exhibit, a live beehive and honey from Eli’s Bees, and arts and crafts.

Author and illustrator Lisa Desimini will share her children’s books about butterflies. Food vendors include local beloved eateries: La Chingona Tacos, The Canyon Bakery, Rocco’s Cucina, Jummee’s Bliss Kitchen, and Little Lamb Coffee & Clay. Art vendors will include local pollinator-themed tiles from Topanga Art Tile, jewelry by Isabel B Jewelry, and T-shirts from the S’Envoler Studio.

In keeping with Topanga’s rich musical history, we are honored to have many nationally-renowned artists who live in Topanga performing throughout the day.

Order tickets now at ButterflyDay.org. Space is limited.