Eastern Monarchs were featured during Spring Into Nature as part of the pollinator garden planted at the Iroquois NWR Headquarters. - Photo Credit: Denise Clay/USFWS

On April 30, Iroquois NWR and the Friends of Iroquois NWR held the refuge's annual celebration of Spring into Nature. The theme this year was migration in recognition of the Migratory Bird Treaty Centennial to celebrate 100 years of migratory bird conservation and the second biennial World Fish Migration Day. There were over 25 displays, hands on activities for kids, a migration maze, live birds of prey, fly fishing demonstrations, archery and more for kids and adults to enjoy. Our estimated 1000 visitors were spoiled with a beautiful, sunny spring day. Lectures were also given throughout the day by the Lower Great Lakes FWCO, the Purple Martin Project, Eastern Monarch Butterfly Farm, and Sky Hunters highlighting migration in fish, butterflies, and birds, This year a butterfly garden containing various native plants, including milkweed, was planted by the public that attended the event. The new garden will allow butterflies, bees, birds and other pollinators to thrive.