Foley, Ala. — (OBA) — In Foley, a group of children huddled around milkweed plants that stood about three feet tall, taller than some of the kids themselves. They bent down close to the stalks to spot tiny insects crawling on the leaves. These striped caterpillars were no bigger than a grain of rice at that point in their lives. Just a few days earlier, they had been eggs, and in roughly four weeks, they would transform into Monarch butterflies ready to continue a migration to Mexico started by earlier generations.

The Foley Public Library teamed up with Riviera Utilities to host Butterfly Story Time on Wednesday, July 16, at the Riviera Pollinator Garden near Foley City Hall. Presenters shared a book about the journeys of Monarch butterflies and offered facts about these creatures that pass through the area during their yearly migrations. The garden serves as a key stop for some butterflies seeking food and spots to lay eggs.

Josh Roberts, a vegetation management specialist, explained to the children that the plants in the garden are native to the region and aid butterflies and other pollinators like bees. He described the garden as a native pollinator haven. Roberts noted that butterflies migrate from Mexico to Canada each spring and return in the fall. Right now, he said, it's their fall migration, with them flying from Canada back to Mexico and passing through here.

During the migration, a butterfly can cover between 50 and 100 miles each day while laying eggs along the way, according to Roberts. That same butterfly might lay between 300 and 500 eggs during its trip back to Mexico. Pollinators like butterflies and bees play a vital role not just in keeping flowers and plants beautiful but also in supporting our food supply.

Many foods people eat rely on pollinators to grow. Roberts pointed out that honeybees, butterflies, birds, and bats all count as pollinators. He added that about 35 percent of the world's food needs pollinators. These creatures visit flowers, collect pollen, and carry it to other plants that become crops.

More than 100 children and their family members joined the event on that Wednesday. The kids got involved in crafts and games, and everyone enjoyed some refreshments. The library and Riviera plan to hold another Butterfly Story Time today, Saturday, July 19, starting at 10 a.m. at the library.

The Riviera Pollinator Garden began in 2023 and has since grown into a strong partnership focused on environmental care and supporting local research. It now holds certification as a Monarch Waystation. The garden is also part of the Alabama Native Milkweed Project, which aims to boost native milkweed populations and track monarch butterflies along the Gulf Coast.

Working with the Alabama Cooperative Extension System and Baldwin County Master Gardeners, the garden team strives to spread more native milkweed throughout the community. This effort helps create better habitats for monarch butterflies and strengthens local pollinator gardens. Such initiatives show a commitment to preserving these important insects for future generations.