This past weekend, our volunteers, staff and friends with San Diego City College Audubon Club and San Diego Canyonlands hosted an event at Otay Valley Regional Park in honor of Dia de los Muertos!
In Mexico, alters are created on November 1st and 2nd to remember loved ones that are no longer with us. Items that the loved ones liked in life are placed at the alter, including favorite foods, photos, and cempasĂșchil (marigold) flowers.
Participants planted native milkweed to support monarch butterflies, a perfect symbol of the cycle of life and death that this holiday celebrates. They also received calaveritas (bags of candy), participated in face painting and were entertained by Montgomery High School's Mariachi band.
Thank you to the Rangers, the city of San Diego, Montgomery High School, San Diego Canyonlands, and San Diego City College Audubon club which made this event possible. We plan on returning to Otay Valley soon to install more plants and water the milkweed!