Princeton NJ Nature Reserves Press Releases

Butterfly Festival Celebrates 10th Anniversary Take the Watershed Challenge & Become an “Action” Hero!

(July 26, 2010) Hopewell NJ – Who can clean up water pollution in central New Jersey? We all can! The Stony Brook-Millstone Watershed Association is celebrating its 10^th Annual Butterfly Festival on Saturday, August 14 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Watershed Reserve in Hopewell, by inviting the community to take the Watershed Challenge and become “Action” Heroes to save our water and environment.

“Individual action is the key to protecting clean water and the environment in our region,” said Jim Waltman, Watershed Association Executive Director. “Our State of the Watershed Report revealed that it’s the simple things we do every day that have the biggest impact on our water and environment. From picking up after your pet and recycling, to using phosphate-free fertilizers and properly maintaining your septic system, together we can make a difference.”

Attendees can take the Watershed Challenge by using their Butterfly Festival Passport (available at admission) to explore four fun kid-friendly Enviro Zones, which teach children and families how they can make a difference for clean water and a healthy environment. To complete the Watershed Challenge and become “Action” Heroes each family can visit the Watershed Challenge Zone to commit to at least one simple action to protect clean water and the environment at home, work, school or in the community.

“For 10 years we’ve celebrated the beauty and fragility of the Monarch and other native butterflies at our Butterfly Festival,” said Mr. Waltman. “Like us, these creatures depend on clean water and a healthy environment to survive. We hope the 10^th Annual Butterfly Festival will inspire a wave of environmental action across the region.”

In addition, this year’s Butterfly Festival will feature special guided tours of the Kate Gorrie Butterfly House, a waterslide, hayrides, insect safaris, local food, live music, tours of the Honey Brook Organic Farm and a variety of demonstrations and exhibits about the environment and conservation.

Exhibitors include the Northeast Organic Farming Association of New Jersey, Honey Brook Organic Farm, the NJ Department of Agriculture Beneficial Insect Lab, Master Gardeners of Mercer County, Lawrence-Hopewell Trail and Green Design of Princeton. The Ernest Schwiebert Chapter of Trout Unlimited will offer fly fishing demonstrations. Rick Brooke of Jersey Solar will provide “solar tours” of the Watershed Association’s own photovoltaic panels at the Nature Center. Mike Stritzki of H2O the Essential Element will have hydrogen-powered vehicles on display as well as Hydra, a mobile solar hydrogen powered water purification and community energy station.

Children and families can also take part in a Butterfly Hat & Costume Parade. Download an entry form online: https://thewatershed.org/news-and-events/butterfly-festival or sign up at the festival’s Information booth between 10 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. The parade will begin at the Main Stage at 12:45 p.m.

Parking for the Butterfly Festival is generously provided by Bristol-Myers Squibb. Admission to the festival is $5 per person or $15 per carload. Anyone who signs up for a Watershed Association Family Membership, a $50 value, at the festival will get into the festival for free. No smoking (due to the dry weather conditions) or pets are permitted at the festival. Call (609) 737-3735 for handicapped access and service animal permission. Visit www.thewatershed.org to learn more about the festival.

Special thanks to 10^th Annual Butterfly Festival corporate sponsors Bristol-Myers Squibb, PSEG and Tyco.

Interviews with Executive Director Jim Waltman are available upon request. Contact Gwen McNamara, Communications Manager, at (609) 737-3735 x16 or gmcnamara@thewatershed.org.

About the Watershed Association

The Stony Brook-Millstone Watershed Association, a member-supported nonprofit organization, protects the 265-square-mile region of central New Jersey drained by the Stony Brook and Millstone River – an area spanning 26 towns and five counties. Founded in 1949, the Watershed Association is central New Jersey’s first environmental group protecting clean water and the environment through conservation, advocacy, science and education.