Summer raising and events

Monarch in Eastern Iowa members are happily gathering monarch eggs and caterpillars (we call them cats) from milkweed plants once again. Soon we will have a new batch of Monarchs to release to nature, where they will lay eggs and make more butterflies. 

THANK YOU NEW PI FOR YOUR GENEROSITY!

For the fifth year New Pioneer Food Co-op (New Pi) has generously donated cups in which our members can raise cats.

Carrying out boxes of containers from New Pi.

Genie from the Co-op said the following:
"I want you to know that the containers & lids are compostable corn “plastic.” They are not dishwasher safe. They are better for the environment than than straight plastic ones. With the oceans filling up with rubbish, I felt your merry band of butterfly enthusiasts would appreciate this detail.

I also want to mention that plastic containers would have been a $190 donation, but these were $600. We at the Co-op really appreciate what you are doing for the planet & our values align. Our Co-op community & leadership really pulled through with support. This is one of our top three investments for the year.

We at MEI are VERY thankful for the support of New Pi! 
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In other matters, we are going to be participating in a couple upcoming events. We encourage you to come out, bring your kids, enjoy and learn!

FAIRFAX USA DAYS
Saturday, June 22nd, 8:00 am to 1:00 p.m.
near the Fairfax Public Library
The first is at the town of Fairfax during their USA Days. The Fairfax Monarch Project is sponsoring an area dedicated to monarch education as part of the street fair (near the library). Monarch in Eastern Iowa will have an information table, MEI member, Roberta, will be there with her magiscopes and milkweed and pollinator seedlings to share, Milkweed Matters will have a seedball making table, the Fairfax Girl Scout Troop will be helping, and Mike Martin will be there representing Monarch Research Project! There will be caterpillar adoptions, crafts and more.

MONARCH FEST, INDIAN CREEK NATURE CENTER
Saturday, July 13,  10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.,
5300 Otis Rd SE, Cedar Rapids, Iowa 
This event is FREE and open to the public!  
MEI will be there with an information table as well as milkweed plants and pollinator plants to share with the public.

There will also be:
  Children’s crafts
  Milkweed seed ball making for Ragbrai riders
  Vendors
  Caterpillar adoptions (Limited number each hour, one caterpillar per family)
  Butterfly releases
  Educational presentations
  Popcorn and Honey Lemonade for sale featuring honey from Indian Creek Nature Center