Butterfly summit set for Thursday

Fans of butterflies and their fellow pollinators can learn more about them and ways to help protect them at the Arkansas Monarch and Pollinator Summit, 9 a.m.5 p.m. Thursday at Pulaski Technical College’s Campus Center Building, 3000 W. Scenic Drive, North Little Rock.

The summit, open to everyone interested in pollinating creatures, is presented by the Arkansas Monarch Conservation Partnership, a collection of agencies, individuals, organizations and businesses, including the Arkansas Agriculture Department, Arkansas Master Naturalists and the National Wildlife Federation.

The group is working on the Arkansas Monarch and Pollinator Conservation Plan, “a coordinated effort to conserve these valuable resources.” A draft of the plan will be presented at 1 p.m. and an online version will be available for those who cannot attend.

In addition to the plan presentation and discussion, lectures at the summit will include “Monarch Butterflies: History, Current Status and Arkansas’ Role,” “Success Stories: Examples of How Pollinator-Friendly Habitat Is Working in Arkansas” and “Pollinators: Diversity, Biology and Importance.”

Registration is required but participation is free and lunch is included.

For more information, visit arkansasmonarchs.org.