(Mission, TX) It’s time, again, for the Mission-McAllen Butterfly Count, Sunday, July 20!

Each July, volunteers across the country brave the sweltering summer sun to count butterflies. The data these citizen-conservationists gather provides a valuable, real-time snapshot for scientists, naturalists, and anyone concerned about environmental change, habitat loss, and disappearing or endangered species.

The count on Sunday, July 20, is the ‘Bentsen-Rio Grande Valley Count’, coordinated by the National Butterfly Center. This annual survey of species variety and volume inside a 15-mile radius is conducted by knowledgeable, local butterfly enthusiasts, covering public and private properties. The information collected is catalogued by the North American Butterfly Association and used for a multitude of research, education and conservation projects.

The counts are open to everyone, from beginner to expert, and provide community members the opportunity to work for a common cause. Anyone desiring to participate should report to the National Butterfly Center no later than 9:00 AM, Sunday, July 20, for a brief instructional session. After that, teams will be assembled and the count will commence at 9:30 AM.

If you wish to learn more about butterflies, as well as how to spot and identify them, but do not wish to participate in the count, please join us at 9:00am for a Guided Butterfly Walk & Talk. This activity will be included with your regular admission fee or annual pass, and serve as an introduction to butterflies of the Rio Grande Valley at the nation’s premier place for butterflying! Don’t miss this chance to support species conservation and habitat preservation, while enjoying the native plant gardens at the National Butterfly Center.

Experts and those who would like to have their private butterfly garden counted should contact Marianna at 956.583.5400, ahead of July 19, to discuss offsite participation and deployment to a distinct location within the count circle.

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The National Butterfly Center is committed to ‘Growing Connections’ between people, plants, and the winged wonders that pollinate and propagate all that grows around us. We do this through educational and environmental initiatives that cultivate meaningful understanding of the parties and processes that create healthy, sustainable ecosystems. The Center is open to the public, for visitors and members, seven days/week.

To learn more about the National Butterfly Center, and how you can join us, visit www.nationalbutterflycenter.org. Your annual membership or charitable gift impacts the beauty of our community and helps preserve the biologically diverse, natural treasures of deep South Texas.

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