UPDATED TIME: Butterfly Walk Along Wilton’s Pollinator Pathway

NOTE:  The article has been updated to reflect the correct time of the walk. It is 1-2 p.m..

The Norwalk River Watershed Association (NRWA) is celebrating the launch this year of the Wilton Pollinator Pathway by holding its annual butterfly walk along the pollinator pathway at Keeler’s Ridge Meadow in Wilton. Lepidopterist Victor DeMasi, research affiliate for the Peabody Museum in New Haven and Advisory Board member of NRWA, will introduce area butterflies and moths, discuss their food and habitats, show his remarkable collection and lead a tour pointing out butterflies and the plants they need to survive.

The tour takes place this Saturday, Aug. 12, from 1-2 p.m. (rain date–Sunday, Aug. 13). At 2 p.m. the group will walk to the N. Wilton Fire Station for refreshments and a chance to meet the firefighters.

Participants will learn how they can transform their own yards into butterfly sanctuaries. Afterwards, join us for refreshments at the Wilton Fire Station adjacent to Keeler’s Ridge meadow and learn more about the Wilton Pollinator Pathway project organized by NRWA, Woodcock Nature Center, Wilton Land Conservation Trust and the Wilton Garden Club. NRWA hopes to extend the Pollinator Pathway into Ridgefield, Weston, Redding and Norwalk in the coming years.

The NRWA hopes to extend the pathway into Wilton’s neighboring towns of Ridgefield Weston, Redding and Norwalk in the future. The Pollinator Pathway is envisioned as an area of consecutive open space and private yards that include pollinator friendly plants and avoid the use of pesticides, offering a corridor of healthy habitat for bees and butterflies.

Participants should register via email, to be contacted should weather require rescheduling. The meeting point is at Keeler’s Ridge Meadow, on Ridgefield Rd. at Keeler’s Ridge Rd.. Considered an ‘easy walk,’ all ages are welcome. Long pants tucked into socks, long-sleeved shirts, sturdy shoes and tick repellant are recommended for this walk.

The Norwalk River Watershed Association, incorporated in 1996, is a not-for-profit membership organization whose mission is to improve the water quality and aesthetic value of the 40,000-acre Norwalk River watershed; to encourage recreational use of the existing trails and open space; and to promote research, education, cooperation, and action on the part of the stakeholders in the seven watershed towns in CT (Ridgefield, Redding, Wilton, New Canaan, Weston, and Norwalk) and NY (Lewisboro).