Winged Wonders

Long Key takes part in National Moth Week with these programs

WHAT:         Long Key Natural Area & Nature Center in Davie, in conjunction with the Broward County Butterfly Chapter and the Miami Blue Chapter of the North American Butterfly Association (NABA), will help celebrate National Moth Week with three programs in late July. Moth Week puts a long-overdue spotlight on moths and their ecological importance as well as biodiversity. When the program was launched in 2012, 175 events were registered in 16 countries and 46 U.S. states, and each year more events have come on board.

                   From 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Saturday, July 30, Long Key will hold its own Moth Day, featuring presentations on moth life cycles, diversity, and gardening; plant giveaways; and information on how to view moths in your own back yard. Information will be available on “moth gardens” and the native plants that can help attract moths to your back yard. The program is free.

                   At 8 p.m., the park will set up equipment to attract moths to Long Key and introduce program participants to what is found. This effort will contribute to our understanding of moth populations in protected areas such as Long Key, as well as demonstrate how lepidopterists do their work with light, sheets, and potions that moths find irresistible.

Also the weekend of Saturday and Sunday, July 30 and 31, the nature center will offer Magical Moths for Kids, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Participants ages 3 to 10 will visit the park's Discovery Room to learn about moths and their butterfly cousins. The program will include games, storytelling, crafts, and nature walks. The fee is $5 per child.    

WHERE:       Long Key Natural Area & Nature Center
3501 S.W. 130th Ave., Davie 33330
954-357-8797       

WHEN:        Saturday, July 30, 10 a.m.-10 p.m. (Moth Day)
Saturday, July 30 and Sunday, July 31, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. (Magical Moths for Kids)   

WHO:           For all ages (Moth Day); for ages 3-10 (Magical Moths for Kids).

HOW:           Fee: $5/person (Magical Moths for Kids). 

For further information, call the nature center at 954-357-8797.