🌱  Milkweed is best known as the host plant for monarch butterflies, but its value extends far beyond a single species. This Pollinator Month, take a closer look at milkweed. Its nectar-rich flowers attract bees, butterflies, flies, and other pollinators, while its leaves and stems support a surprising variety of wildlife.

🤓  What looks like a simple garden plant is actually a thriving ecosystem. From monarch caterpillars to aphids, lady beetles, spiders, and milkweed bugs, many creatures depend on milkweed throughout their life cycles. You may plant milkweed for monarchs, but you'll discover an entire community living among its leaves.

🫶 Join Okies for Monarchs and the City of Edmond as we celebrate a new pollinator habitat at Bickham-Rudkin Park through the Pathways for Pollinators & People initiative!

🌱 Okies for Monarchs will have educational materials, coloring sheets, and a limited supply of free native milkweed plugs (first come, first served).

🦋  The City of Edmond will host a Pop-Up Nature Center with pollinator-themed activities and learning materials for all ages, plus snacks and a drawing for a super-sized 3-D butterfly kite.

9:30 am - Ribbon Cutting Ceremony

10:00 am - 11:30 am - Pathways for Pollinators and People Celebration

📍 Bickham-Rudkin Park in Edmond

This habitat is part of a statewide effort to support biodiversity and expand pollinator-friendly spaces across Oklahoma. Come explore the new habitat and learn how pollinator-friendly spaces support monarchs, bees, and other important wildlife. 

Funding support from the Kirkpatrick Foundation and the Oklahoma Monarch Society.

🦋  Pollinator gardens are a beautiful way to support bees, butterflies and other beneficial insects. A little planning goes a long way in making sure your garden is welcomed in the neighborhood.

 

Here are a few simple tips to help you get started and avoid common concerns:

 

✔️ Check your city ordinances and HOA guidelines before you plant
✔️ Keep plantings clear of sidewalks, driveways and visibility sightlines
✔️ Maintain clean edges and defined borders to keep your garden looking intentional and tidy

 

🫶 Communication matters. Let your neighbors know what you’re planting and why pollinator gardens are so important for our environment and local ecosystems.

 

🪧 Add a sign! A visible pollinator garden sign helps show that your space is purposeful, educational and cared for and it often sparks positive conversations.

June 16, 1 pm - 3 pm

Oklahoma Aquarium in Jenks

June 16, 4 pm - 8 pm

Crow Creek Meadow, Tulsa

June 20, 8:30 pm - 11:30 pm

Ruby Grant Park, Norman

June 23, 9:30 am - 11:30 am

Bickham-Rudkin Park, Edmond

June 23, 5 pm - 7:30 pm

Glenpool Library, Glenpool

June 23, 1 pm - 2 pm

Online Webinar

June 25, 6 pm - 8 pm

Tulsa Garden Center at Woodward Park

June 26 & 27, 9 am - 4 pm

Metro Tech Springlake Campus, OKC

June 27, 11 am  - 12 pm

CommonWealth Urban Farms, OKC

July 8 - 10, 8 am - 4:30 pm

Oklahoma Environmental Education Bootcamp
Lake Arcadia Conservation Education Center, Edmond

July 18, 8:15 pm - 10:30 pm

McGreen Creek State Park, Atoka

July 25, 8:30 pm - 10:30 pm

CommonWealth Urban Farms, OKC