According to CTnofa, “With 19% of CT’s native plants listed as endangered and the remaining populations in declining numbers, we are facing a precipitous decline in our pollinator populations.”

The Catherine Violet Hubbard Animal Sanctuary is taking extraordinary measures to protect and provide sanctuary for these fragile creatures. The sanctuary is excited to invite the public to join its members to celebrate its 12,000-square-foot Ecotype Project pollinator garden with the community on Sunday, September 19.

An annual “Sunday at the Sanctuary” event, “Monarchs, Meadows & More” invites the public to explore the wonders of butterflies, bees, and pollinators, the plants that sustain them, and how to protect these incredible creatures. In past years, the sanctuary has welcomed more than 300 guests at this event for all ages.

This year’s celebration is planned for noon to 2:30 pm at the CVH Animal Sanctuary, 3 Old Farm Road.

Visitors will enjoy a one-of-a-kind pollinator party and the chance to marvel at the natural environment of the 34-acre sanctuary. All ages are invited to meander the sanctuary’s massive pollinator garden, meet the field of experts, and experience an amazing lineup of family-friendly activities, including monarch butterfly tagging with Sandy Schill; meadow net sweeping and insect discovery with entomologist Dr Rayda Krell; “The birds that call the sanctuary home” with Ken Elkins of Bent of the River Audubon Center; and native and exotic butterflies with Magic Wings Butterfly Conservatory.

There will also be an opportunity to draw pollinator flowers with artist Kim Hossler; backyard beekeeping with Peter Ferreira, sanctuary apiarist and owner of Ferreira Homestead & Apiary; Catherine’s Craft Corner, a paint-your-own project to create a monarch yard marker or butterfly and praying mantis masks; and the opportunity to start or enhance home gardens with a native pollinator plant sale.

Registration is required, and can be done through cvhfoundation.org. “Monarchs, Meadows & More” is made possible by a generous grant from Eversource Energy.

Nestled in the very heart of Newtown and spread over 34 acres of pristine farmland, breathtaking woodlands, and rolling meadows, the home of the Catherine Violet Hubbard Animal Sanctuary is coming to life. The sanctuary pays tribute to the life of Catherine Violet Hubbard, a 6-year-old victim of 12/14.

The sanctuary will eventually be a safe haven and place of healing offering companion animal adoption, farm animal refuge, wildlife rehabilitation and release, and on-site educational workshops.

While funds for the sanctuary build are raised, site work has already begun at the property. Even without a building, the sanctuary is elevating kindness for animals, humans, and the environment through pet adoption and rescue collaboration events, free community workshops, pollinator protection, virtual and in-person education, and programs to help senior citizens keep and care for their pets. The sanctuary lands are currently open to the public from dawn until dusk and visitors are welcome.