TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WCTV) – Friends of St. Marks Wildlife Refuge announced on Thursday that the Butterfly Festival scheduled for Oct. 25 has been canceled.
The nonprofit cited the ongoing federal government shutdown as the reason for the cancellation.
According to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s website, the event was intended to showcase the migration of monarch butterflies as they travel south through the Gulf Coast.
The refuge, which is managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, has closed the visitor center, education building, nature store and the historic lighthouse keepers’ quarters until further notice amid the government shutdown.
The Friends of St. Marks Wildlife Refuge webpage states that the refuge gates will be open between 6 a.m. and 9 p.m.
Visitors can check the Friends of St. Mark’s Wildlife Refuge website for the latest updates on operations and event scheduling.
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