Oak Lawn Park District Offers Monarch Butterfly Class

OAK LAWN, IL — Want to raise your very own monarch butterfly? The Oak Lawn Park District will offer FREE training on raising monarch butterflies Monday, Aug. 19, from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Oak View Center. Participants will learn how to raise a monarch caterpillar from the egg stage until it transforms into a beautiful butterfly.

During the training, participants will receive a monarch egg and list of materials needed to raise your fuzzy caterpillar. The raised butterflies will be released at the Oak Lawn Park District’s annual Monarch Festival on Sept. 14.

Over the past 20 years the monarch population has dropped from a billion to 30 million largely because of habitat destruction. Monarch caterpillars feed and lay their eggs exclusively on milkweed, but the colorful flower is rapidly disappearing from the countryside due to the overuse of herbicides and decline of the native prairie.

Only one monarch caterpillar egg is allowed per family. Oak View Center is located at 4625 W. 110th St. Preregistration is required. Register online or at any Oak Lawn Park District facility (except Stony Creek Golf Course).