FLIGHT OF THE BUTTERFLIES 3D FLUTTERS INTO MOODY GARDENS®
Texas Drought Threatens Spring Monarch Migration as Venue Takes Action
Galveston, Texas (Jan. 30, 2012) — Each spring, millions of monarchs begin a journey north into Texas and onto a 1,500-mile quest to across North America. Follow the extraordinary story and discover the secret hideaway of the beautiful monarch butterflies in the brand new film Flight of the Butterflies 3D at the Moody Gardens® MG 3D Theater.
Shown on the largest screen in Texas, moviegoers will experience this expedition up close, seeing the evolution of butterflies from larva to winged beauties. This incredible transformation and journey is captured with advance technology, bringing viewers closer to the action than ever before.
As they travel, the butterflies breed and lay eggs on milkweed plants in Texas. Over several generations, the monarchs complete their migration and return to Mexico for the winter, making their trip one of the longest migrations on Earth.
However, because of extreme drought conditions, Texas’ milkweed population has declined in recent years, severely impacting the flight. The loss of milkweed and habitat, coupled with intense heat, contribute to the diminishing migration numbers over the past decade. More than 20 percent of the migration has decreased.
As part of preservation efforts, proceeds from the film will be donated to Mexico’s leading conservation organization, Fondo Mexicano para la Conservación de la Naturaleza.
“We’re delighted to be a part of the preservation efforts and protect the delicate creatures,” Moody Gardens CEO John Zendt said. “We hope to send our visitors home with a passion to start a change.”
As part of the opening day activities, the Moody Garden’s Education Department will hold free arts and crafts activities for kids in an effort to increase public awareness. Milkweed seeds will also be available for guests to take home and to plant a new habitat for migrating butterflies.
For more information call 800-582-4673 or visit www.moodygardens.org.
Moody Gardens® is a public, non-profit, educational destination utilizing nature in the advancement of rehabilitation, conservation, recreation, and research.
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