The Leach Teaching Gardens in The Gardens at Texas A&M University will celebrate the arrival of spring with Hullabloom Fest April 22. Visitors of all ages can make spring-inspired crafts, learn about pollinators and participate in a butterfly release.
The free event will be from 9-11:30 a.m. at the Leach Teaching Gardens, 556 John Kimbrough Blvd. in College Station.
Learn about pollinators
A butterfly release at 11 a.m. is part of several pollinator-themed activities. Visitors can register at a sign-up table throughout the event to participate in the release.
“When we planned the event, we thought Earth Day was a natural fit to celebrate spring and include educational activities about the importance of pollinators such as butterflies and migrating birds that have been affected by climate change,” said Michael Arnold, Ph.D., director of The Gardens and professor in the Texas A&M Department of Horticultural Sciences.
Several partners have prepared fun ways for participants to stroll throughout The Gardens and learn about pollinators and plants.
“Our butterfly release will include a mix of several species native to Texas,” said Kat Grier, coordinator of educational programming and outreach for The Gardens. “The Texas A&M Department of Entomology will have displays of local insects that are pollinators, and the Rio Brazos Audubon Society will highlight our native birds that also act as pollinators.”
Other educational demonstrations include healthy trees by the Texas A&M Forest Service, the life cycle of a butterfly by the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service Junior Master Gardeners, and an arthropod display and butterfly-themed craft by the Brazos Valley Museum of Natural History. Visitors can also create a seed ball to take home to plant their own pollinator garden.
Enjoy The Gardens
Refreshments will be served outside the Pavilion, and the Bryan-College Station Ukulele Club will entertain at the Grand Arbor. Other activities include a scavenger hunt at the Pavilion, yoga in the Mexican Heritage Garden and lawn games led by Texas A&M Rec Sports and Outdoor Adventures.
Visitors are encouraged to share their photos of Hullabloom Fest by tagging #TAMUGardens.
A Sensory-Free/Quiet Zone will be available during the event for anyone who may want or need a quieter environment at any point during the event.
Parking is free, and directions and related information are available on The Gardens transportation page.
Continue the fun
If you are unable to attend, Grier has the following suggestions for celebrating spring with The Gardens:
- Download a spring scavenger hunt and explore The Gardens as you race to see who can find all of the items first.
- Bring your camera for photos in front of the spring blooms wall anytime during April.
- Create and enjoy one of these delicious spring recipes from the AgriLife Extension Dinner Tonight program:
For more information, visit https://gardens.tamu.edu/hullabloom-fest/.
