For the Rapids City Times

MARSHFIELD — Have you ever smelled the flowers outside or enjoyed the taste of your favorite fruit or vegetable? Who do you think we need to thank? Answer: Our native pollinators — birds, bats, butterflies, and bees.

Mead Wildlife Area, S2148 County Rd S, Milladore, is presenting “Winged Wonders” family event on June 24, 11 a.m.- 2 p.m. Bring your family and friends for a day of fun learning activities, interactive displays, and organizations interested in our native pollinators
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Plan time for walking outside and looking for native pollinators among the wildflowers blooming, but be sure to be inside the Stanton W. Mead Education and Visitor Center from 12:30 to 1:30 when Kathy McGrath presents “The Marvelous Monarchs.” A retired kindergarten teacher from Port Edwards, Kathy has nurtured a love of Monarch butterflies. Passionate about saving more Monarchs, since retiring she has been busy giving presentations, and raising and tagging the Monarch butterfly.

In the spring of 2017, McGrath worked to have Port Edwards named the first Monarch Village in the United States.

Also on hand will be Kris Rued-Clark, signing and discussing her book, co-authored with Sylvia Oberle, “Adventures on Wisconsin’s Ice Age Trail,” and encouraging others to find a nearby trail to hike.

Additional activities planned for the day are a scavenger hunt, crafts, children’s activities, and prizes.

Admission is free, but donations are always appreciated. For more information, contact Pam Resech, wildlife educator at Mead Wildlife Area at pamela.resech@wisconsin.gov or 715-457-6771, ext. 2.