GET CLOSER TO NATURE

MEMORIAL BUTTERFLY RELEASE

On August 4th, 2024, nearly 400 butterflies were released on the South Shore of Lake Arthur. Nearly 300 individual monarchs and painted ladies were released along with a mass release of 100 monarchs. Special thanks to Oliver Outdoor for sponsoring the butterfly release.

Butterflies were in honor or in memory of the following:

Ruth & Carl

Chuckie

Cooper

Janice Bagnato

Mary Priam

Esther Kubek

Glenna Franko

Madison & Dorothy Main

James Zimmer

Dad Vince

Mom Joan

Jim Kniess

Ryan Burd

Mary Brumagin/Ryan Burd

Ryan Burd

William and Anna

Levi Deal

Richard Connor

Patricia Connor

Matthew Barton

Mr. Poppa Pants

Caleb Dove

Renee Coblentz

João

Ryder

Parents

Cinnamon Gilch

Pap-Pap Clarke

Ed Clarke

Donna Smith

Neil Bauer

John Ferry

Mom

Dad

Pap pap

Susan Randolph

Everyone

Eileen Florcik,

My parents

Ralph & Addie Giangiordano

Andrew & Theresa Serenko

Caleb Napodano

Mel’s Mom

Uncle Jim/Brother

Grandpa Ron/Dad

Grandad Pete/Dad

Nancy McCombs

Mom and dad Setnar

Alice Schultz

Javon

Anthony

Bill Kulish

Mary Thurlene

Jay, Miri, John and Patty

Great grandfathers

Grandma Gornick, Nick Mazza, & Terry

Nita, Grandma, and PapPap Meanor

BaPa

Grandma Carol

Codie Lovitt

Darlene McCafferty

Richard McCafferty

Jacqueline Boehm

Art Najeski

Marco Zingrone

Being the best mom a daughter could ask for

Being the best mom a son could ask for

Ellen Thomeier

My grandparents

Renea Strobel

Tommy Manuel

Robert Nicklas

Caitlyn Kaufman

Betty Paffrath

Sheeba

Dustin

Pap-Pap & Pappy

Pappy & Pap-Pap

Ed McCullough

Dave Yanko (Dad)

David Wilcox

Pap pap

Pappy

Dad

Jimmy

Kathy “Gram”

Jeff

Momma J

Ian York

Madison Saylor

Our Year, 2024

Believing In Yourself No Matter The Challenge

Harry Scholbolm

Charlene Washlaski

Ray and Evelyn Stephan

Edith Benning “Grandma”

Our loved ones in heaven

Don & Judy’s parents

Sonny

Gregg

Marion

In memory of Sunshine and Buddy

Grandma Mona and Pappy Bob

Grammy and pappy

Pat/Mum & Bill Besselman/Dad

Pap Albert Hagen

Nana Jean Hagen

William and Lucille Beichner

Jackie Boehm

Christina

Sonny

Mom

Joe

Great Pappy Roithner

Great Pappy Ellenberger

Greg Preisser – Husband

In Honor of Diana Sicard Presky’s Birthday

Big Country

Jake- daddy

Amanda

Joe

Lyra

Aurora

Matteo

Maverick

Adalynn

Fred and Peg Hoover

David Lidwell

Our Grandparents

Raymond Keffer

Karen Carenbauer

James Walker

Rich Downing

Lloyd Parish

Jeff Downing

Ann Parish

Mike Parish

Irene Downing

Bubba Cervi

Mike Boyer

Suzanne Boyer

Thomas Family

Deal Family

Daddy

Lois Jean Rugg

Caleb Donald Rugg

Dylan Tarbi

Susan Sabilla

Blaine Rakarich

Memory of dad

Memory of Chris

Mandy Losh

Ray Johnston

Jay Sedwick

Linda Sedwick

Edith Johnston

Nichole Vaughn

David Wilcox

Honoring Mother Nature

Linda Hinchberger

Duffy Daugherty

Grandpa

Baxy

Darwin

Our dad Ben

Grandma Judy

My son Benjamin.

Larry

In honor of my Mom Rachele

In honor of My Dad John

In honor of Nana

In honor of PopPop

Alaina

Alayla

Jamie Jankowski

Suellen Brady

Mike Grinnell

Andrew Keenan

John, Delores, Janett & Carroll Schmiedlin

Charles & Anna Mae Marsh

Max Rothrauff

Avery Rayne Rothrauff

Grandma Betty

My mother and father

My husband Jim

Jarred Streckeisen

Sue Bowser

Cory Ryan

Michael J. Young Jr.

Dina Williams

Donna J. Ford

Daniel Barbati

My parents, friends and family who passed

Cody Lambert

Kenny

Gigi

Katie Hou

Nathan Hou

Shien Hou

Megan Wotherspoon

Nanny

Erika

Dad

In Honor of Greg & Sara Merkle

In Memory of Roy Maloney

In Memory of Anna F. Ferrere

In Memory of Regis R. Ferrere

David Reed Morgan

Trista Michelle Cottrill

Olga and Howard McFarland

Jim Sukits

Esther Winters

Addison Landis

Cassandra Alam, Philip Fox Jr., Michelle Nye

Jack Stull

William Cadamore

Gregory W.

Mr. and Mrs. Strnab

Dustin

Great Nana

Romeo and Joey

Butter

Gary

Grandma Smith

PRESENTED BY OLIVER OUTDOOR

Our Sunday tradition fills the sky with the color and movement from one of nature’s most beautiful creatures, the Western Pennsylvania Monarch.

This popular and inspiring release fills the sky with the color and movement of one of nature’s most beautiful creatures, the Western Pennsylvania Monarch. Participants release their butterflies in honor of a special someone, in memory of a loved one, or just for fun!

Why do we do the Native Butterfly Release?

“Our state parks in Pennsylvania conserve nearly 300,000 acres of lands for the public to enjoy in many ways, but humans are not the only ones to benefit. Moraine’s 16,725 acres provides habitat for many wild animal species. Monarch butterflies, whose population across North America has alarmingly decreased, are dependent upon the milkweed plant. There are four species of milkweed native to PA, and we have introduced each of them in areas of the Moraine and encourage their natural reproduction. Here at the park, we have five areas specifically managed to promote native wildflowers, such as milkweed. Volunteers and partner groups working with park staff have prepared ground, sown seed, and managed these areas to encourage milkweed and other native plants to provide not only educational messages and enjoyment, but to serve as habitat for resident populations, and provide way stations for migrating monarchs.” — Natalie Simon, DCNR