The City of Foley is welcoming monarch butterflies back to the Alabama Gulf Coast with a special community event in May and continued plans for a future monarch conservatory.
Foley, in partnership with Riviera Utilities, will host the inaugural Welcome Back Monarchs celebration on Saturday, May 9, beginning at 9 a.m. at the Foley Civic Center.
The event will offer residents an opportunity to learn about monarch butterflies and their annual spring and fall migrations through the Gulf Coast region. Educational presentations will highlight the importance of pollinator habitats, including gardens planted with native species that provide essential food sources for monarchs and other beneficial insects.
The program will begin with a presentation by Carmen Flammini of the Alabama Cooperative Extension System, who will discuss monarch migration patterns, the role of the Alabama Gulf Coast in their journey, and the importance of expanding pollinator gardens along migration routes.
The Foley Public Library will provide crafts and hands-on activities for children during the event, making it a family-friendly experience.
Following the presentation, attendees can take guided tours of the Riviera Utilities Native Pollinator Garden. The garden features native plants, including milkweed, which is critical for monarch butterflies and their caterpillars.
In preparation for the event, Riviera Utilities, along with Flammini and members of the Baldwin County Master Gardeners, has expanded the garden with additional plantings of milkweed and other native species. Milkweed plants will be available for residents to take home and plant, encouraging the creation of pollinator-friendly habitats throughout the community.
The City of Foley is also moving forward with plans to develop a monarch conservatory at Graham Creek Nature Preserve. The Foley City Council recently approved a proposal for civil engineering work to support the development of the greenhouse facility.
The planned indoor conservatory will provide a controlled environment for multiple butterfly species, including monarchs, supporting growth, breeding, and public education. In addition, Graham Creek Nature Preserve is working to expand efforts to grow and distribute native milkweed to further support monarch populations and other pollinators.
In 2025, Foley was recognized as Alabama’s first Monarch City, reflecting the community’s ongoing commitment to protecting butterflies and enhancing their natural habitats.