Lebanon Parks Monarch Run mixes running with butterflies

On Aug. 13, the Lebanon Parks and Recreation Board will give residents the chance to get in some exercise while enjoying and supporting nature. Called the Lebanon Parks Monarch Run, the event is a 5k run and walk and its proceeds go toward improvements to the Lebanon Parks System.

But the event is more than a 5K. It is held in conjunction with the Lebanon Garden Club’s Butterfly Release, which will have educational displays on butterflies and a release of hundreds of butterflies, which will include monarchs, swallowtails and other butterfly species, after the race. The release and displays will be at Miller Ecological Park, where the race concludes.

Some of the educational displays include information on Miller Ecological Park, monarch habitats, pollinator plants and a display by the Warren County Park naturalist giving more in-depth information on plants and what individuals can do to improve butterfly habitats.

Casey Burdick, recreation and natural resource coordinator for Lebanon Parks, says these displays are important because they will give people information on how to help protect monarchs from going extinct.

“The monarchs, in particular, their habitats have been shrinking and the milkweed and food sources have been shrinking over the decades to the point where this important species is threatened,” says Burdick. “Having a park like Miller Ecological Park provides an example to the community for plants [people] can put on their property and how to maintain those gardens as well.”

People interested in participating in the 5k can register on the day of the race between 8:30-9:15 a.m. at the Lebanon High School football stadium parking lot.