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Speaker Series – An Introduction to Western Carolina Butterflies
April 30, 2022 @ 10:30 am - 12:00 pm
Date: April 30, 2022
Time: 10:30 a.m.
Location: Anne Elizabeth Suratt Nature Center at Walnut Creek Preserve
Speaker: David Ahrenholz
During this presentation, participants will learn how to identify the butterflies of the western Carolinas through photographs taken by the presenter, as well as the foodplants needed to attract both the caterpillar and adult stages to your home butterfly garden.
Dr. Ahrenholz began his interest in butterflies as a child in Iowa. He taught himself photography because family and friends were not interested in dead insect specimens. After medical school he continued his passion for nature photography, photographing butterflies across the US and tropical South America. His photographs captured new species and led to an appointment as a Research Associate in the Entomology Department at the Smithsonian. He has pursued a 25 year project with the museum to document the butterflies of Ecuador in photographs and by collecting specimens. Now retired from his surgical career at the University of Minnesota, he has moved with his wife to their horse farm in the Landrum area where he enjoys equestrian foxhunting and sharing images from his butterfly garden.
PLEASE NOTE:
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and in order to make this an enjoyable and educational experience for participants, space is limited to 50 and pre-registration is required. Participants must show their vaccination card or a negative COVID-19 test taken within the 48 hours of the event, with a photo ID, and all must wear a mask when indoors. Please arrive before 10:30 to allow time for check-in. *This program is subject to change if things worsen with the pandemic.
As of 3/7/22, due to new CDC guidelines, Conserving Carolina’s COVID policy has been updated, and – provided our county’s COVID-19 community level stays in the “medium” to “low” level, determined by the CDC – we are no longer requiring masks indoors and there is no need for proof of vaccination and/or negative test. We are still limiting numbers to half capacity, 50. *This is subject to change if our community level increases or something unforeseen occurs with the virus. Of course, we encourage participants to do what makes them comfortable.
Polk County is currently in the “Low” COVID-19 Community Level and the CDC’s current recommendations are:
*Walnut Creek Preserve is private property and guests are only allowed on the property by invitation (a planned event or scheduled group). Thank you.