On Saturday, March 30, more than 200 children, adults, birds and butterflies flited about the Big Rock Nature Preserve at Ventura Land Trust’s (VLT) annual Monarch Madness pollinator planting party.
For the 4th year running, VLT partnered with SoCalGas to provide the community with a fun family-friendly morning centered on the importance of preserving local land that provides important habitat for birds, bees, butterflies and other animals.
Volunteers of all ages joined VLT staff in the Ventura River watershed to plant milkweed and other pollinator plants, learn about monarch butterflies from local expert Juliana Danaus of Monarch Arch, make milkweed seed balls and help VLT unveil “Dug,” their shiny new tractor recently donated by Cummins Inc. Ventura.
“SoCalGas is committed to environmental preservation and proud to partner with Ventura Land Trust,” said Maria Ventura, SoCalGas Public Affairs Manager. “Every year the event gets bigger and better. This year we knocked it out of the park!”
Due to the rising use of pesticides and the overdevelopment of natural areas, many native bees and butterflies are on the decline. Planting events like Monarch Madness are one of the many ways VLT supports the protection of land and the animals that live on it.
“It warms my heart when hundreds of people join us on a Saturday morning to help protect local wildlife,” said Adrienne Stephens, VLT Development and Marketing Director. “We host dozens of volunteer events throughout the year but Monarch Madness is one of our favorites because it allows children to make a real difference.”
To learn more about Ventura Land Trust or to volunteer at an upcoming event, visit www.venturalandtrust.org/events.
