Gardens, butterflies and all things spring in Sierra foothills

Spring is in full bloom in the foothills. Be advised, though: Once you get here, you might not want to leave.

Yosemite National Park celebrates Earth Day from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, April 23, in front of the Yosemite Valley Visitor Center. This year’s festival honors the Centennial anniversary of the National Park Service. Park admission and all activities at the festival are free.

Living history demonstrations, interpretive walks and family activities are planned.

A historic ceremony will be conducted at 2 p.m. In the evening, visitors will be treated to “Camp Fire Dessert: S’mores’ and Beyond” at 8 p.m. Those interested should meet at the campfire ring in front of Yosemite Valley Museum. Pre-registration is not required, but space is limited.

For details of all events, visit www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/guide.htm and click on the current “Yosemite Guide” link for April 6through May 17, or call 209-372-0200. For information on the NPS Centennial, see www.FindYourPark.com.

The annual Mariposa Butterfly Festival takes place next weekend, Friday, April 29, through May 1.

On Friday evening, Taste of Mariposa and the Butterfly Hat Competition will kick off the festivities. It all takes place at the Senior Center, 5246 Spriggs Lane from 5:30-9:30 p.m.

For only $5, attendees can sample appetizers and desserts from Mariposa’s eateries. Silent and live auctions will be held, and creativity will be judged. Donation forms for the auction and applications for the hat competition are available for download at the website below.

Throughout the weekend, butterfly releases will take place at different times and locations in town. Watch with childlike wonder as newly-hatched butterflies flit gently from one hand to another, finding nourishment from an orange slice before lifting above the crowd to begin their adventures in the open sky.

Two days of family activities include a 5K run and 12K run, the Butterfly Parade, a skateboard competition, live music and entertainment in the Art Park, and food and artisan vendors downtown.

Visit www.mariposabutterflyfestival.net/event-program for more information.

Do you have a question about weed control or starting seeds? Want to know why your roses’ edges are brown? Thinking of landscaping your yard with more native plants? Or maybe you’re wondering how to conserve water?

The Mariposa County Master Gardeners can answer all your questions.

Speak with a Master Gardener in person on Tuesdays from 9 a.m. to noon and Thursdays from 2 to 5 p.m. at 5009 Fairgrounds Road in Mariposa. You also may email your questions to mgmariposa@ucdavis.edu or call 209-966-7078 any time and leave a message.

The University of California Cooperative Extension has announced the 32nd annual Range and Natural Resources Camp. Students, 15 to 18 years old, interested in biological sciences and management of natural resources will learn from experienced professionals and university faculty.

The camp is scheduled for June 19 to 24 at Elkus Youth Ranch in Half Moon Bay.

The top three students from this camp will have the opportunity to represent the California-Pacific region of the Society for Range Management at the next SRM High School Youth Forum early next year. All expenses will be paid for the top two students.

The cost is $450 and applications are due by April 29. For information and application go to: www.rangelands.org/casrm/HTML/rangecamps.html. Some scholarships are available. Please contact Fadzayi Mashiri at 209-966-2417 or fmashiri@ucanr.edu for more information.

And one last bit of news: Grandpa’s Grease Monkey Attic in the Hornitos Plaza is a unique shop now open on weekends. The name says it all. If you like cars and anything related to cars, and don’t mind a little grease under your fingernails, you’ll find old signs and automobile collectibles here – plus plenty of shop talk. An early 1900s model car is being rebuilt by the owner.

This story was originally published April 22, 2016 at 12:04 PM with the headline "Gardens, butterflies and all things spring in Sierra foothills."