Flutter down to the OKC Zoo for Monarch Awareness Day—family-friendly activities, plant sale, photo opportunities and more.
In celebration of monarch butterflies, the Oklahoma City Zoo and Bob Moore Subaru are putting their wings together to provide a unique opportunity to learn about, raise awareness for and conserve monarch butterflies and other pollinators, and their natural habitat.
Monarch Awareness Day activities will be held in and around the Zoo’s Entry Plaza, carousel and Devon picnic areas, and Pollinator Garden on Saturday, September 10, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Visitors will have the opportunity to learn about the importance of monarch butterflies, purchase pollinator-friendly plants, and participate in family-friendly activities, including helping create much needed habitat for pollinators on Zoo grounds, receiving a free milkweed plant (while supplies last) in exchange for taking the Okies for Monarchs pledge, and receiving a free wildflower seed pack (while supplies last) courtesy of OG&E and much more. From 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. guests will be able to see and purchase pollinator-friendly plants presented by local nurseries, including Marcum’s Nursery, Sweetleaf, Flora Bodega and Lia’s Garden at Commonwealth. Along with the plant sale guests can purchase OKC ZOO POO, the Zoo’s premium compost. This organic fertilizer sourced from many of your favorite Zoo animals including the Asian elephants, Indian rhinos and giraffes is the natural way to nurture your growing botanicals. Entry to the plant sale is free and all event festivities are included with regular Zoo admission.
As part of our celebration, guests can roam the Zoo’s Pollinator Garden and BRICKLIVE: Animal Paradise for free. The Zoo’s outdoor pollinator garden is a 20,000 square-foot exhibit designed to host and nurture a diverse array of pollinator species. As the largest walk-through outdoor pollinator garden in Oklahoma, the garden is a color and texture display of more than 15,000 plants designed to help butterflies, bees, and other pollinators thrive.
Monarch butterflies are an imperiled species in need of our help. Over the last 20 years, monarch populations have decreased by about 90%. In 2014, monarchs were petitioned to be listed under the federal Endangered Species Act and the International Union for the Conservation of Nature classified the migratory monarch population as endangered earlier this year. Monarchs face a number of threats to their populations including habitat loss and the use of pesticides. These butterflies are the first insect to have an Association of Zoos and Aquariums SAFE: Saving Animals from Extinction program and the Zoo’s Director of Conservation and Science serves on the steering committee for the North American Monarch SAFE program. One way the OKC Zoo is helping monarch populations is by creating habitat for pollinators throughout the park and in partnership with schools. The Zoo’s Pollinator Garden is a registered Monarch Waystation which provides resources for monarchs and other pollinators. The Zoo also provides grants to local schools to create pollinator gardens at the schools, which are used as living classrooms to connect students with nature.
Migrate to the OKC Zoo for Monarch Awareness Day! The Oklahoma City Zoo is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily with the last entry no later than 4 p.m. Connect to wildlife and tons of fun as you experience the all new BRICKLIVE Animal Paradise at the OKC Zoo. Sponsored by Devon, BRICKLIVE features 45+ life-sized animal statues made with almost two million toy bricks! BRICKLIVE Animal Paradise is open daily during regular Zoo hours. Purchase advance tickets for general Zoo admission and BRICKLIVE at www.okczoo.org/tickets. Membership has its perks! As a member of the Oklahoma City Zoo, enjoy free admission all year-long, plus many additional benefits and discounts. You will also be supporting the Zoo’s animal family, education programming and conservation initiatives. Join or renew today at www.okczoo.org/membership.
Located at the crossroads of I-44 and I-35, the OKC Zoo is a proud member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, the American Alliance of Museums, Oklahoma City’s Adventure District and an Adventure Road partner. Regular admission is $12 for adults and $9 for children ages 3-11 and seniors ages 65 and over. Children two and under are admitted free. Stay connected with the Zoo on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Linktree and TikTok, and by visiting our blog stories. To learn more about Zoo happenings, call (405) 424-3344 or visit okczoo.org.