Foley, Ala. — (OBA) —  Foley is preparing to welcome monarch butterflies back to the Alabama Gulf Coast through a new community event and expanded conservation efforts. The city is teaming up with Riviera Utilities and local partners to support the butterflies. Plans also include a future monarch conservatory. Officials say the effort underscores the importance of protecting butterfly habitats.

The first Welcome Back Monarchs event is scheduled for Saturday, May 9. The event will begin at 9 a.m. at the Foley Civic Center. Organizers say it aims to inform residents about monarch butterflies and their migration patterns through the area.

Participants will learn how monarchs migrate along the Alabama Gulf Coast each spring and fall. Pollinator gardens planted with native species provide food for butterflies and other insects. These gardens also support caterpillars and help maintain the migration route.

The event will begin with a presentation by Carmen Flammini of the Alabama Cooperative Extension System. Flammini will discuss monarch migration, the region’s role in that journey, and the need for pollinator gardens. The Foley Public Library will also host crafts and activities for children.

After the presentation, attendees can take guided tours of the Riviera Utilities Native Pollinator Garden. The garden features native milkweed and other plants that provide food for monarchs. Milkweed is especially important for monarch caterpillars.

In preparation for the event, Riviera Utilities, Flammini, and members of the Baldwin County Master Gardeners have expanded the garden. Crews added additional milkweed and other native plants. Organizers say the additions will strengthen pollinator habitat.

Residents attending the event will receive milkweed plants to take home. Officials encourage planting pollinator gardens to support butterflies. These efforts aim to expand habitat across the community and along migration routes.

The city is also planning a monarch conservatory at the Graham Creek Nature Preserve. The Foley City Council recently approved a proposal for civil engineering work on the greenhouse. The indoor space will house several butterfly species.

Graham Creek is also developing plans to expand the growth and distribution of native milkweed. Officials say this will provide additional support for monarchs and other pollinators. The goal is to expand habitat and improve survival rates.

In 2025, Foley was named Alabama’s first Monarch City. The designation recognizes the city’s conservation efforts and plans for the conservatory. Officials say the work reflects a long-term commitment to protecting butterflies and their habitats.