Stroll through the newly created pollinator garden at the Catskills Visitor Center with renowned pollinator expert Maraleen Manos-Jones.

Along with sharing information about plants that will attract pollinators, Maraleen will also suggest ideas for non-plant garden items that will benefit pollinators: water sources, bee houses, bird feeders, and others. With over 50 years of experience as an award-winning environmental activist, author, educator, artist, and master gardener, Maraleen brings a unique perspective to the world of butterflies. In 1977, she became the first woman from the U.S. to discover the monarchs’ overwintering habitats in Mexico and has since dedicated her life to protecting pollinator environments. She has lectured at prestigious institutions such as Harvard, Yale, and the Royal Botanical Gardens, and her accomplishments include the 2022 Pollinator Advocate Award and leading efforts to end glyphosate spraying around Catskills reservoirs. Maraleen has also created public, private, and school butterfly gardens and authored The Spirit of Butterflies: Myth, Magic, and Art. Learn more about her inspiring work at www.spiritofbutterflies.com.

This event is FREE with a suggested donation of $10.00. Registration is required.

This program was created in partnership with Catskill Mountain Roots. Catskill Mountain Roots,organized by former Daily Freeman photographer Tania Barricklo, works to create community through gatherings, events, education and exploration of nature in the Catskill Mountains.