Monarch madness: Museum premieres “Flight of the Butterflies 3D” June 30
For immediate release ‐ June 21, 2016
Contact: Jon Pishney, 919.707.8083. Images available upon request
RALEIGH — Monarchs are some of the most easily recognized and best-loved butterflies in North America. Their stunning good looks and interesting biology make them popular even with people who don’t like insects. Learn more about these fascinating insects, from their life cycle to their feeding habits to their awe-inspiring migration from Canada to a few isolated mountaintops in Mexico, when the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences premieres “Flight of the Butterflies 3D” Thursday evening, June 30.
“Flight of the Butterflies 3D” is a natural history epic — part scientific adventure, part detective story. Documenting the year-long migration cycle of monarch butterflies, the award-winning production team filmed hundreds of millions of monarchs in their remote overwintering sanctuaries in Mexico in 2011 and again in 2012, and also along their migratory routes from Canada, across the U.S. and into Mexico. The 40-minute film shows at 7:30 p.m. in the Museum’s WRAL 3D Theater. In this extended version, learn how the mystery of the winter migration location for the monarchs was solved by citizen scientists. (Beverages and popcorn are available before the show.) A shorter 20-minute version of the film will be shown at the Museum daily beginning Friday, July 1.
Prior to the film, at 6:30 p.m., learn about ways you can help protect monarchs and help scientists conserve this beautiful butterfly as Museum scientist Chris Goforth presents “Mad for Monarchs.” Goforth is an entomologist with degrees in biology and entomology. While her research focuses on aquatic insects — including giant water bug parental care, dragonfly flight behavior, and using aquatic insects as indicators of environmental disturbances — she considers it her mission in life to raise overall insect awareness and appreciation. Through her position as the Head of Citizen Science at the Museum, Goforth can often be found teaching visitors about the many ways that they can get involved in scientific research, including monarch research.
Even earlier, from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m., you can enjoy live monarch butterflies and perhaps get a glimpse of our two-toed sloth in The Living Conservatory. Plus, learn about the life cycles of butterflies and moths, both local and exotic, with Bill Reynolds, Head of the Museum’s Arthropod Zoo.
Tickets to this evening event are $5 per person; free for Museum Members. You can buy tickets at naturalsciences.org or at the Museum Box Office, on-site or by phone at 919-707-9950. Space is limited.
The North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences (11 W. Jones St. and 121 W. Jones St.) in downtown Raleigh is an active research institution that engages visitors of every age and stage of learning in the wonders of science and the natural world, drawing them into the intriguing fields of study that are critical to the future of North Carolina. Hours: Mon.- Sat., 9 a.m.-5 p.m., and Sun., noon-5 p.m. Visit the Museum online at www.naturalsciences.org. Emlyn Koster, PhD, Museum Director; Susan Kluttz, Secretary, N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources; Pat McCrory, Governor.
The N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources (NCDNCR) is the state agency with a vision to be the leader in using the state’s natural and cultural resources to build the social, cultural, educational and economic future of North Carolina. Led by Secretary Susan Kluttz, NCDNCR’s mission is to improve the quality of life in our state by creating opportunities to experience excellence in the arts, history, libraries and nature in North Carolina by stimulating learning, inspiring creativity, preserving the state’s history, conserving the state’s natural heritage, encouraging recreation and cultural tourism, and promoting economic development. NCDNCR includes 27 historic sites, seven history museums, two art museums, two science museums, three aquariums and Jennette’s Pier, 39 state parks and recreation areas, the N.C. Zoo, the nation’s first state-supported Symphony Orchestra, the State Library, the State Archives, the N.C. Arts Council, State Preservation Office and the Office of State Archaeology, along with the Division of Land and Water Stewardship. For more information, please call (919) 807-7300 or visit www.ncdcr.gov.