Earth Week: Butterfly Bonanza
April 22, 2008
Shangri La Botanical Gardens and Nature Center 2111 W. Park Avenue Orange, TX 77630
Shangri La Botanical Gardens and Nature Center invites you to celebrate Earth Week with six days of fun-filled activities, including nature walks, story readings for children, boat rides, and daily lessons on topics such as photographing birds, butterfly gardening, epiphytes, and so much more. It all culminates Saturday, April 26 with the Eco Festival and Sunday, April 27 with a special appearance by Jungle Jack Hanna.
Reservations are required for many events and may be made by calling 409.670.9113. You may also download a full itinerary of all the Earth Week events.
Tuesday, April 22: Butterfly Bonanza
7:15–9:00 a.m. Boat Trip through Shangri La
This activity is limited to children ages four and older. All children must be accompanied by an adult. Please park downtown at the Lutcher Theater, located at 707 Main Street, where a shuttle will depart for Shangri La at 7:00 a.m.
RSVP required. Maximum of 50 people.
9:00–11:00 a.m. Lesson: Photographs of Birds
Work with a local professional photographer to learn how to capture photos of wildlife. This activity begins at the Shangri La admissions window. Each participant must provide his/her own camera. This activity is limited to those ages 12 and older.
RSVP required. Maximum of 15 people.
7:15–9:00 a.m. Nature Walk through Shangri La
This two-mile walk begins at the Shangri La admissions area and proceeds to the Beaver Pond outpost to view a selection of birds found in Shangri La. Please park downtown at the Lutcher Theater, located at 707 Main Street, where a shuttle will depart for Shangri La at 7:00 a.m.
RSVP required. Maximum of 20 people.
10:00–10:30 a.m. Story Time in the Garden
The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle will be read to highlight nature and how we live in our environment. Please meet under the oak tree near the Water Demonstration Garden. All children must be accompanied by an adult.
1:30–3:30 p.m. Lesson: Cooking from the Garden
Learn great recipes with fresh ingredients that can be grown in your own garden! You’ll learn how to make a delicious homemade pizza using tomatoes, herbs, bell peppers, green onions, spinach, and more.
RSVP required. Maximum of 25 people.
3:30 p.m. Butterfly Release
Approximately 350 native butterflies will be released into Shangri La. You may also view approximately 100 butterfly chrysalis hatching throughout the week in the NDC screen in the pavilion.
6:00–7:30 p.m. Boat Trip through Shangri La
This activity is limited to children ages four and older. All children must be accompanied by an adult. Please park downtown at the Lutcher Theater, located at 707 Main Street, where a shuttle will depart for Shangri La at 5:45 p.m.
RSVP required. Maximum of 25 people.
6:30–8:00 p.m. Bird Blind Walk
Explore the Shangri La Bird Blind, where you will observe the birds as they return from feeding to nest for the evening. All children must be accompanied by an adult. Please park downtown at the Lutcher Theater, located at 707 Main Street, where a shuttle will depart for Shangri La at 6:15 p.m.
RSVP required. Maximum of 20 people.
7:30–8:30 p.m. Lecture: Butterfly Gardening by Chris Jones
Learn how to attract butterflies to your garden by adding a few new plants. You will attract dozens of different butterflies each year and help restore declining butterfly populations. This lecture will take place in Shangri La’s Discovery Theater. Please park downtown at the Lutcher Theater, located at 707 Main Street, where a shuttle will depart for Shangri La at 7:15 p.m.