Monarchs, Milkweed, and More

San Marcos Discovery Center

Hays County Master Naturalists came out in full force to lend a hand at the October Monarch Fest and Native Plant Sale in San Marcos. Photos courtesy Betsy Cross and Dick McBride

Betsy Cross

The annual Monarch Fest and Plant Sale sponsored by the San Marcos Discovery Center on October 11 brought together nature lovers of all ages for a day of learning, exploring, and celebration. Hays County Master Naturalists greeted visitors, hosted informational tables, and offered hands-on support throughout the event. Adding a touch of whimsy, the Discovery Center staff hosted a children’s costume contest, along with games, crafts, coloring activities, and a monarch obstacle course.

The Obstacle Course: Walking in a Butterfly’s Wings

Kids crawled and fluttered their way through spider webs, a wintry mix, and other monarch migration challenges along the obstacle course.

This interactive trail gave young festivalgoers a glimpse into the real-world challenges monarchs face during their fall and spring migrations:

**Habitat loss** caused by chemicals used in agriculture and landscaping, which can kill monarchs and poison their milkweed food source;
**Vehicle collisions** as butterflies attempt to cross busy highways and interstates along their migration routes;
**Changing weather patterns** that disrupt the environmental cues monarchs rely on to migrate and affect the availability of crucial plants along the way;
Natural obstacles encountered during their journey, such as strong winds, droughts, and cold snaps, as well as threats from natural predators.

Pollinator Partners and Community Connections

Local partners shared resources and inspiration for pollinator-friendly practices. Joining the festivities were the San Marcos Greenbelt Alliance, the San Marcos River Foundation, the Meadows Center for Water and the Environment, the Texas State University Wildlife Society, Keep San Marcos Beautiful, and the Hays County Master Naturalist Chapter of Texas Master Naturalist™.

Each organization brought something unique, from native plant wisdom to water stewardship.

Plants with a Purpose

Native plants—beautiful, resilient, and vital—were the stars of the sale. Festivalgoers took home free pots of native milkweed supplied by the Discovery Center and picked out other native nectar plants to support pollinators.