SULPHUR, Okla. – The Chickasaw Cultural Center, 867 Cooper Memorial Road, is set to host a National Learn About Butterflies Day event from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., March 14. The event is intended to provide a fun-filled educational experience to children and adults alike about the importance of native and migrating butterfly species.
“Butterflies are key pollinators. Plants must have a pollinator to complete their life cycle,” Chickasaw Nation Director of Horticulture Jennifer Bryant said. “There are so many things we use plants for and if we did not have pollinators to help them reproduce, we would be really hurting.”
Visitors are invited to partake in butterfly themed games and scavenger hunts as well as make-and-take craft activities. Patrons can also tour the butterfly tent from Euchee Butterfly Farms and experience multiple butterfly species, including the monarch. Horticultural attractions like plant and caterpillar cup giveaways will also be available to guests.
The Chickasaw Cultural Center’s Anoli' Theater will feature a screening of “Flight of the Butterflies” at noon, followed by a screening of “Journey of the Butterflies” at 3 p.m. The films will be open to the public at no charge. Butterfly cookies will be available for purchase outside the Anoli' Theater at the Aaimpa' Café.
The Chickasaw Nation Butterfly Garden will be in full display with beautiful plants in bloom providing nutrients for a medley of butterfly species. Located along the butterfly’s flight path, the garden acts as a travel stop for butterflies migrating between the northern United States and Mexico.
“We incorporate native nectar plants throughout all our garden beds,” Bryant said.
In addition to its vast array of milkweed and other butterfly-friendly vegetation, the garden boasts an opportunity to learn about pollinators in an exciting way with brightly colored butterfly statues and educational panels.
Bryant said that to the Chickasaw people, the Hatulhpushik (butterfly in Chickasaw) is a representation of perseverance and the ability to change and adapt.
A beautiful being, the butterfly has been the symbol of the annual Dynamic Women of the Chickasaw Nation Conference since 2007.
Bryant said anyone can learn about and help our pollinators thrive.
“The Chickasaw Nation is right in that flyway,” Bryant said. “We need to be planting more milkweed and other native nectar producers to support them in their journey.”
For more information, call (580) 622-7130 or visit ChickasawCulturalCenter.com.
About the Chickasaw Cultural Center
The Chickasaw Cultural Center provides an immersive experience of the rich and vibrant Chickasaw heritage through the Chikasha Inchokka' Traditional Village, interactive and informative exhibits in the Chikasha Poya Exhibit Center, beautiful sculpture and lush gardens throughout the campus and more. Personal family research is available at the Holisso: The Center for Study of Chickasaw History and Culture.