Oak forests often serve as resting sites and habitat for monarch butterflies during their annual migration to the Mexican state of Michoacan. Yet these vital tree ecosystems are being cleared for urban development, coffee plantations and grazing fields, contributing to the monarchs’ steep population declines. In this program, the Morton Arboretum’s Silvia Alvarez Clare and the USDA Forest Service’s Mike Rizo will discuss both organizations’ efforts to protect the oak and pine-oak forests near the Monarch Butterly Biosphere Reserve in Michoacan through research, restoration work, community outreach and more.

Optional bird walk before the program at 9:00 AM – bring binoculars!

Parking is free. Admission is free to Chicago Botanic Garden members (you must purchase a ticket online before the program and bring your CBG membership card to the arboretum on the day of the program to receive a refund). Admission is $11 (age 65 and older) or $12 (under 65) for non-CBG members. Complete details will be provided to all registrants. 

Please email renabird3@gmail.com to register. Participants will receive information about the specific meeting place a few days before the event.

Many birders shy away from shorebird identification because they think “all shorebirds look the same.” With spring migration just around the corner, award-winning local birder Geoff Williamson will dispel that notion by illustrating the importance of shape, structure and proportion in identifying major types of shorebirds as well as in differentiating between similar-looking species. In fact, plumage features come into play only to decide between two or three species. Geoff’s program will be followed by a short walk outside at dusk to see American Woodcocks display. (Bring binoculars!)