Nearly 1,000 people are expected at Monarch Watch’s spring open house and plant fundraiser from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at Kansas University’s Foley Hall.

Monarch Watch, which is led by KU professor Chip Taylor, works to track as well as restore the monarch butterfly migration across the U.S.

The event will feature 5,000 butterfly plants (both annuals and perennials), including seedlings of 12 milkweed varieties — ideal for starting butterfly gardens or adding to established gardens. The monarch’s migration recently declined to its lowest level in decades; planting milkweed plants can help bring it back. The plants will be available Saturday for a modest donation.

The fundraiser will also include refreshments, and children will be able to make milkweed “seed balls” and other butterfly plants, get their faces painted and receive temporary Jayhawk tattoos.

Monarch Watch has species of insects that most people rarely see, as well as tarantulas and bees. Attendees can tour its garden and lab space, and watch live video-conferencing demonstrations and, of course, monarch butterflies.

For more information, visit monarchwatch.org/openhouse or contact Monarch Watch at monarch@ku.edu or (785) 864-4441.