BETHEL — The third annual Monarch Festival, presented by the Mahoosuc Land Trust, is set for Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 12 and 13.

The gathering takes place at the Valentine Farm Conservation Center in its 20,000 square-foot pollinator garden on North Road.

The free event promotes thoughtful stewardship of land and habitat creation, and provides a resource for family fun and education.

The third annual Monarch Festival is set for Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 12-13. Shown is a liatris ligulistylis and monarch. Mike Murphy photo

The site of the trust’s headquarters, Valentine Farm consists of dog-friendly walking trails along the Androscoggin River, administrative offices for MLT staff, and the Habitat for All garden, according to a news release from Barbara Murphy, director of Development and Habitat for All.

This garden is a part of the Habitat for All initiative led by the trust. Focusing on the philosophy that small actions lead to big changes, the Habitat for All program invites everyone to reimagine outdoor spaces as an opportunity to create new habitats for plants, wildlife, birds, bees, butterflies and humans.

The garden is the cornerstone of the HFA initiative. The garden features educational programming, space for sanctuary and quiet reflection, and demonstrations of gardening techniques and habitat enhancement. The trust celebrates this program with its annual Monarch Festival.

A webinar at the Gem Theater, featuring keynote speaker Doug Tallamy of the Homegrown National Park initiative, kicks the weekend off at 6 p.m. Saturday.

On Sunday, the actual festival begins at 11 a.m. with MLT’s annual meeting. Bethel poet Richard Blanco will share some poetry to inspire the occasion.

At noon, festival activities begin, including an indigo dying demonstration and activity, gardening and monarch butterfly talks, bird walks, children’s activities, insect exploration and artisan vendors.

For more information about the Monarch Festival, email info@mahoosuc.org or visit mahoosuc.org.

Check out other upcoming area events!