A juniper hairstreak butterfly. Courtesy/PEEC
PEEC News:
The Pajarito Environmental Education Center (PEEC) invites the community to a free virtual program, Helping Butterfly Conservation Take Flight, 6-7 p.m., Thursday, March 5. This online talk explores the beauty, importance, and vulnerability of New Mexico’s butterflies and the meaningful steps each of us can take to help protect them.
New Mexico is home to nearly half of all butterfly species found in the United States, making it a hotspot for pollinator diversity. These charismatic insects pollinate crops and gardens, support wildlife, and bring color and joy to the landscapes. Yet across the Southwest butterfly populations have declined by more than one-third in recent decades.
This spring, the Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation will share practical, community‑level actions that can help reverse these trends, starting in local own neighborhoods, gardens, and public spaces.
Event Details
- Event: Helping Butterfly Conservation Take Flight (Virtual Only Talk)
- Date & Time: March 5, 6-7 p.m.
- Location: Virtual program hosted by the Pajarito Environmental Education Center
- Admission: Free
About the Program
This engaging online presentation will highlight why butterflies matter, what’s driving their decline, and how individuals, families, and communities can create safer, more supportive habitats. From planting native species to reducing pesticide use, attendees will learn simple, effective ways to make a difference for pollinators across New Mexico.
About the Presenter
Jacqueline Buenrostro is a Pesticide Program Specialist with the Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation. She works closely with residents, community leaders, and policymakers to implement conservation strategies that benefit both people and pollinators. When she’s not advocating for invertebrates, Buenrostro enjoys walking in the woods and tending to her collection of pressed plants.
For more information, visit PEEC’s website at peecnature.org/events. Stay connected on social media for updates on each week’s activities.
About PEEC
PEEC was founded in 2000 to serve the community of Los Alamos. It offers people of all ages a way to enrich their lives by strengthening their connections to our canyons, mesas, mountains, and skies. PEEC operates the Los Alamos Nature Center at 2600 Canyon Road, holds regular programs and events, and hosts several interest groups, from birding to hiking to butterfly watching. PEEC activities are open to everyone; however, members receive exclusive benefits such as discounts on programs and gift shop merchandise. Annual memberships start at $35. To learn more, visit peecnature.org/support/membership/.