The Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy (SMMC) and the Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority (MRCA) present “Butterflies of the Santa Monica Mountains” on Tuesday, September 19 at 7:30 p.m. in the Temescal Dining Hall, Temescal Gateway Park. Palisadian Margaret Huffman, programs chair for the Los Angeles Chapter of the North American Butterfly Association, will share her expertise about the butterflies that can be seen in the Santa Monica Mountains. Butterflies are very beautiful creatures, with their bright colors and graceful flight. The Los Angeles area, with its temperate climate, is home to more than 100 kinds of butterflies. Monarchs, anise swallowtails, and marine blues are just a few of the species to grace our local skies. Guests will learn where and when it’s easiest to see particular species and view Temescal Canyon Association photographs of butterflies that might be spotted during a sojourn into our local wilderness areas. Huffman is past-president of the Los Angeles Chapter of the North American Butterfly Association (NABA). The group promotes enjoyment of butterflies through programs, field trips, butterfly counts, butterfly gardening, and its Web site, naba.org. Huffman grows plants for butterflies and birds. She raises monarchs, anise swallowtails, gulf fritillaries, and American ladies. Practically everyone enjoys butterflies, and Huffman likes to show how this pleasure leads to caring for the natural world. She has put on many shows about Southern California butterflies and run many workshops on gardening for birds and butterflies. A naturalist at heart, she emphasizes growing native plants for birds and butterflies and, ultimately, for restoration of the natural landscape. The program and parking are free; park in the main parking lot and proceed to the dining hall for the program. The main parking lot is located adjacent to the Temescal Camp Store and Dining Hall. Contact: 454-1395, ext. 106.
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