Skip to Content

August Butterfly Days event brings community to MJV's Belle Plaine campus

Sep 19, 2025

Categories

  • Prairie Oaks

In late August, we were excited to welcome the public to the Monarch Joint Venture's Prairie Oaks campus for a day of nature-filled family fun.

The event featured community organizations and vendors, with interactive activities at their tables. MJV offered a variety of activities for kids, lawn games, and monarch tagging demonstrations throughout the event, which was attended by over 200 people.

Monarch tagging was one activity offered at the event. A tiny sticker with a unique identification code is placed on the monarch's wing and added to a database. If that tag is located in Mexico at the overwintering sites, it helps provide insights into monarch migration.

Thank you to the organizations that joined us for the day!

  • Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community
  • National Ruby-Throated Hummingbird Center
  • Living Earth Center
  • Carver-Scott Master Gardeners
  • Prairie Enthusiasts
  • Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
  • Thrivent
  • Belle Plaine Chamber
  • Nature Enthusiations (Insect-themed jewelry)
  • MN Bee Squad
Representatives from the National Ruby-Throated Hummingbird Center talk with guests at the event.

There were also numerous vendors that joined us for the day.

"I really loved the event. It was fun to be a part of," said Monique of Cottage Delights MN. "Getting to meet more people was great. I made lots of connections and had some great conversations with people from vendors to customers."

Saint Paul Spice Company was one vendor at Butterfly Day. Of all Saint Paul Spice sales made at the event, 20% were donated to the Monarch Joint Venture.

Activities offered included monarch tagging, make-your-own native seed packets, lawn games, painting rocks for a rock garden, a science explorations tent, and more.

Who doesn't love painting?

And of course, the llamas were a huge hit, in addition to the resident Prairie Oaks chickens and horses.

"I think the llamas were my favorite. I loved learning about the different plants that monarchs like and making a seed packet to plant some at home. All around, it was a great event," Monique said.

Llamas are always a fan-favorite.

"It was so great to see so many come out to Prairie Oaks to celebrate monarchs and other pollinators," MJV Education Manager Katie-Lyn Puffer said. "We look forward to seeing everyone again at future events!"

A visitor makes a native seed packet.

The Monarch Joint Venture acquired the Prairie Oaks property, on 20 scenic acres in Belle Plaine, Minnesota, in early 2024. The Prairie Oaks Institute generously donated the property to the Monarch Joint Venture after the organization's board voted to dissolve.

This property serves as a hub for conservation, education, and research. It's one place where the MJV hosts workshops and events. Learn more about the property here and join us at an event in the future.

News Categories