Visitors to the the Water Conservation Garden on the campus of Cuyamaca College are in for a treat April 5.
That’s when the Dorcas E. Utter Memorial Butterfly Pavilion takes wing. The grand-opening celebration will feature a full day of family-friendly activities:
• Miss Metamorphosis will teach children about monarchs during Story Time in the gazebo (at 9:30 a.m., 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.) and be available for photo opportunities throughout the day.
• Ms. Smarty-Plants™ will lead a Pollinator Parade and butterfly release at 11 a.m. Kids are invited to dress up as a caterpillar or your favorite winged pollinator: bee, butterfly, bird, bat or beetle.
• Mr. Kojiro Shiraiwa, author of “The Butterflies of San Diego County,” will give a fascinating talk at 10 a.m. in the garden’s classroom.
• Clayton Tschudy, the garden’s Horticulture and Exhibits Director, will teach “Creating Your Own Butterfly Garden” at 1 p.m. in The Garden’s classroom.
• The butterfly-habitat plant sale will feature plenty of beautiful, drought-tolerant plants on sale that butterflies love.
But the top attraction will no doubt be the brand new butterfly pavilion and its new inhabitants. Visitors will love the new colored glass archway entrance by artist Cherrie LaPorte. Once inside the mesh-walled dome, knowledgeable docents will offer information on six delicate butterfly species and offer ways to help sustain their populations using water-saving plants.
Come celebrate the opening from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. April 5. The garden is at 12122 Cuyamaca College Drive West in El Cajon. Call (619) 660-0614 ext. 10 or visit http://www.TheGarden.org.