2026 Past Events

• Location:  2400 Trinity Street, Austin, Texas, 78712 https://sciencemuseum.utexas.edu/

• Details: With a customized guided tour, some of the features we’ll see –

• Follow the Monarchs brings together art and science in a vibrant installation inspired by monarch butterflies’ migration.

• Decimation Proclamation is a beautiful artwork featuring hundreds of colorful butterflies. It was created by former UT BFA student and multidisciplinary artist Daneida Castillo, who incorporated 650 butterflies that had been donated to The University of Texas Insect Collection.

• The museum’s Pollinator Garden features native plant species — such as coneflowers, lantanas, sages and milkweeds — that provide year-round food, habitat and breeding grounds for butterflies and other pollinators.

• Now open on the museum’s fourth floor, Masters of the Night: The True Story of Bats challenges long-held myths and reveals how bats help sustain ecosystems around the world.

• Location: Westcave Outdoor Discovery Center, Round Mountain, Tx 78663

• Details: 2026 marks the 50th Anniversary of Westcave Preserve! Since 1976, Westcave has been a cornerstone of conservation in the Texas Hill Country, inspiring generations of students, naturalists, and visitors with our mission: “to inspire people to develop a lifelong practice of enjoying and protecting nature.”

• Agenda:

11:00AM - 12:00PM: Optional lunch (location TBD)

12:00PM - 12:45PM: Drive to Westcave

1:00-4:00/4:30PM meetup, ABF walk together

• What's Included: Walks, hikes, music, crafts, and more!

  • See full list of activities/details here: https://www.westcave.org

Let's meet at Copperfield Park to walk the Copperfield Nature Trail. We will walk from the parking area off Yager toward Shopshire Ln. If parking is full, parking is available on Jourdan Crossing Blvd.

We will meet at 2:00 pm and depart no later than 2:10pm heading in the south direction.

The trail is natural is mostly flat but is uneven and natural. Wear comfortable shoes, bring water, and mosquito spray. Don't forget your binoculars and any ID books and tools.

Any questions? Text 956-332-3746 

• Location: Bailey Middle School, 4020 Lost Oasis Hollow, Austin, Texas 78739

• Event Host: Bailey Native Plants and Animals (NPA) Booster Club, which supports their NPA class and after school club. 

• Details: Bailey Middle School is hosting its second annual Butterfly Fest and Native Plant Sale. Selling plants to raise money for the NPA program, festival, and education stations and fun activities. ABF is hosting a booth with interactive activities and talking with visitors to the booth. You do not need to be an expert! On a side but related note, ABF may provide input on butterfly-related activities within their program and future plans for a butterfly observation house. 

• https://www.baileybearspta.org/plants

• Location: Dell Pediatric Research Institute, 1400 Barbara Jordan Blvd, Enter parking lot off of 51st street (Click for Map)

• Event Host: EdEN Lab (Education, Evaluation, Nutrition) UT at Austin helps teachers promote learning and healthier living through hands-on school garden experiences.

• Details: ABF will be a community partner at the Spring 2026 Spread the Harvest event hosted by EdEN Lab. The event will have over 150 schools with gardens participating. We are looking for volunteers to represent ABF at our table. We will be talking with teachers and other champions to help promote and foster school gardens. ABF will bring the materials and all you need to do is bring yourself! Knowledge of host and nectar plants for butterflies would help but we know generally the public has questions about all things butterflies. If you wish to bring something to give away, let's coordinate!

• Due to rain chances, we will receive an update regarding the status of the event at 7:00AM on Saturday morning.
  Setup: Booth setup begins at 7:30 am before the event officially starts at 8 am.
  https://www.edenut.org/resources

• Sign-ups so far: Brian & Valli Abel, Erin & Troy (7:30a-10a), ....