There's a butterfly on your nose and a bear just behind you...

Bear and Butterfly at Chilao School marks the official opening of the recreation season in the Angeles National Forest. Everyone is welcome, and the gathering is free.

Hosted by Redbird, a non profit Native American and environmental association, Bear and Butterfly seeks to create a unique blending of scientific and spiritual knowledge about two of the forest's most well known - and imperiled - species.

We're very excited to announce some of our guests. Betina Loudermilk will be among our presenters, bringing live monarch butterflies in various stages of development and sharing her extensive knowledge about the species. Artist Elizabeth Babbin Tucker will also be joining us and sharing some of her beautiful works. Dana Stangel will be bringing us knowledge about bears from a biological perspective, complimented by a look at the bear as a spiritual entity by Daniel Running Bear. Fancy Shawl dancer Izzy St. Martin will also be joining us, and if we can get a drum to sing for her, she'll share the Native American dance that emulates the butterfly in spiritual and physical form. There's plenty of room for more presenters, artists and storytellers. Potluck contributions to our feed are also welcome.

Gatherings at Chilao School are relaxed and family friendly, and geared toward in-depth environmental learning, sharing wisdom, and engaging children of all ages in the outdoors. We are located 26 miles deep in the Angeles National Forest from La Canada via Highway 2 north (Angeles Crest Highway). This event welcomes speakers of all ages and backgrounds, so if your girl or boy scout troop is involved in a project that has to do with the bear or the butterfly, or if your passion is either or both of those creatures, we welcome you to come, learn, contribute and connect with others who share your passion.

You can find Bear and Butterfly on Facebook:

http://www.facebook.com/events/1579209035630273/

You can learn more about Redbird at

http://www.redbirdsvision.org