The Butterfly Pavilion in Westminster will release hundreds of monarch butterflies at their large “Wings of the Tropics” conservatory this Friday at 10 a.m.

The release is part of the ongoing “Monarch Magic” event which runs through the end of November. The event seeks to educate visitors about the critical role monarchs play in maintaining a healthy ecosystem, which is necessary for the survival of all life on earth, according to the Pavilion.

Monarch Magic is being hosted in collaboration with the Chicano Humanities and Arts Council. Monarch butterflies play a significant role in the Mexican tradition of Día de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, as their arrival is believed to be the spirits of those who have passed away, according to a press release.

“The monarch butterfly is not only a beloved ecological presence in Colorado gardens but also as a vital symbol in Mexican culture,” said Senior Lepidopterist Manager, Shiran Hershcovich. “We are grateful to partner with the Chicano Humanities and Arts Council for Monarch Magic and hope our guests can learn about the importance of conserving these powerful pollinators.”

The exhibition is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and is included with daily admission to the Butterfly Pavilion.

Monarchs have typically graced the Rocky Mountains as part of their 3,000 mile migratory journey, but have, unfortunately, seen a major population decline for the past 20 years. East of the Rocky Mountains, their numbers have dropped between 48% to 69%., but west of the Rocky Mountains populations have dropped 99%, according to previous coverage by The Gazette.

In September, several monarchs were marked and released at Buckley Space Force Base as part of a Department of Defense partnership with the Monarch Joint Venture, a non-profit dedicated to monitoring the populations and restoring the insects’ habitat.

The monarchs being released Friday were raised on a farm, and not the endangered migratory butterflies. 

The butterflies technically qualify for listing as a federally endangered species, although they have not yet made the list, according to previous coverage. However, they are listed as endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature, a conservation organization. 

Speaking to their status, a spokesperson for the Butterfly Pavilion said the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will officially decide whether to include the monarch on the endangered species list. In Mexico last year, the population of monarchs was recorded at its second lowest value ever, falling below the threshold needed to ensure their survival in the wild. 

“Saving Monarch butterflies is about more than preserving a species; it’s about protecting a way of life; from the ecosystems they sustain to the cultural and economic impact they bring to communities,” Hershcovich said. “The Monarch migration is a living indicator of our planet’s health. Their journey connects ecosystems and communities, reminding us of the urgent need for conservation to prevent this natural wonder from disappearing.”

For more information, and to learn more about other aspects of the Butterfly Pavilion’s mission, visit its website butterflies.org.