PHOTOS — Butterfly release highlights Earth Day fun at Shangri La Botanical Gardens

A crowd packed Shangri La Botanical Gardens and Nature Center on Saturday to celebrate Earth Day at Eco-Fest.

Butterfly releases and a vendor market matched with a pet food and supply drive.

Katie Krantz, Shangri La Botanical Gardens & Nature Center associate director, says Three butterfly releases allowed attendees to introduce more than 1,500 essential pollinators into the garden space.

New this year was the pet food and supply drive benefiting the animal shelters in the cities of West Orange, Orange and Pinehurst.

Shangri La includes 250-plus acres of outdoor oasis along the waterways of the Adams Bayou that combine botanical gardens and an education nature center.

Located at 2111 West Park Avenue in Orange, Shangri La Botanical Gardens & Nature Center is open to the public Tuesdays through Saturdays from 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

Entrance to Shangri La Gardens is free of charge.

For more information call 409-670-9113 or visit shangrilagardens.org.

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