This Earth Day party in Placer salutes monarch butterflies

The monarch butterfly is the focus of an Earth Day celebration in Auburn

this Saturday. (Photo courtesy UCCE)

In El Dorado County, master gardeners host spring plant sale

How are you helping your planet?

Monday is Earth Day, an annual celebration held April 22 each year since 1970. This year’s theme: Protect Our Species.

Bees and butterflies rank high on the list of local species that could use some protection as well as TLC.  One of the best ways to protect our native species is to invite them into our gardens and make them feel at home -- well-fed, nurtured and protected.

On Saturday, one endangered butterfly in particular takes the spotlight at  “Earth Day: Celebration of the Monarchs.” To be held in downtown Auburn at the Armed Forces Pavilion and Community Garden, this family event focuses on this beloved butterfly and its annual migration to California. Learn all about the monarchs from the UCCE Placer County master gardeners, who will offer tips on how to help these butterflies. (Hint: They love milkweed!)

In addition, this event offers music, food trucks, artists, bee keepers, native plants, workshops and exhibits. Hours are 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, April 20. Admission is $10 per family with all proceeds going to support the Forgotten Soldier Program, which is also hosting this event. The
garden is located at 995 Lincoln Way, Auburn. Details: https://forgottensoldierprogram.com/events/

Planting California natives and flowering plants (including vegetables and fruit trees) can make bees happy and go a long way in creating a welcoming habitat.

Find a great selection at the El Dorado County Master Gardeners’ Spring Plant Sale, from 8 a.m. 2 p.m. Saturday, April 20. The sale will be held at the Sherwood Demonstration Garden, behind Folsom Lake College's El Dorado Center, 6699 Campus Drive, Placerville. Admission is free; parking is $2 in the college lot.  While you’re there, check out the beautiful garden and the ways master gardeners attract more beneficial insects.

Milkweed is the monarch butterfly's key food source.

(Photo courtesy Cheryl Rose)

Find a wide variety of fruit trees, California natives, ornamental grasses, vegetables, succulents, shrubs and perennials. Which ones? The sale plant list available here: http://mgeldorado.ucanr.edu/files/302291.pdf

Cash or checks only; no credit cards. Details: http://mgeldorado.ucanr.edu/

-- Debbie Arrington and Kathy Morrison