June 9

Jan 26, 2024

When the sun goes down is when fireflies or lightning bugs like this one have their chance to shine.

EDWARDSVILLE — A Family Firefly Nights event is planned for 7-8:30 p.m. Friday, June 9, by the Edwardsville Children's Museum, Micro Forest, Park at The Hall, 7132 Marine Road.

The free family event starts with a short, interactive presentation on fireflies. Attendees then participate in firefly themed crafts and activities.

They can spread blankets out in the micro forest and each family can use a record sheet to count the fireflies they see. The data will be submitted to the National Audubon Society database.

Collecting this data helps scientists learn about the geographic distribution of fireflies and what factors impact their numbers, which are shrinking.

Locally grown native plants will be available for purchase by check or cash.

Here are some other activities happening in the area:

Saturday, June 10, at City Park, 101 S. Buchanan St., Edwardsville.

Sunday, June 11, at Edwardsville Public Library, 112 S. Kansas St., Edwardsville.

To submit an event for consideration to the Intelligencer calendar "What's Happening," email [email protected].