NIGHT SHIFT UPDATE: TONIGHT’S EVENT CANCELED

(because, let’s be real, Mother Nature is the ultimate party pooper)

BUT FEAR NOT, dear nocturnal enthusiasts! We’re bringing the Night Shift shenanigans to the Balch Springs Trunk or Treat on Oct 30 from 6-10 PM!

Thanks for understanding, and we can’t wait to get this moth party started again soon!

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As darkness settles in, the familiar daytime landscape gives way to an entirely different community of wildlife.

Join Rooted Futures Collective for Night Shift: Things That Flutter in the Dark, a creepy-season evening of moths, insects, spiders, and other creatures that become active after sunset. Using UV lights and moth sheets, we’ll take a closer look at the animals drawn out by the night and explore the strange adaptations, behaviors, and ecological relationships that allow them to thrive after dark.

Participants are encouraged to photograph what they find and add observations to iNaturalist, helping document local biodiversity and contribute to our growing community-science record of the species that call Balch Springs home. No science background or previous iNaturalist experience is needed. We’ll help newcomers get started, and experienced community scientists are always welcome.

Expect moths, beetles, lacewings, spiders, and plenty of other nighttime surprises. We’ll talk about why these animals matter, what draws them to light, how they fit into local food webs, and why many of the creatures humans have decided are “creepy” are actually essential parts of healthy ecosystems.

Volunteer & Community Science Hours

Volunteers are welcome to help with event setup, welcoming participants, wildlife observation, photography, iNaturalist documentation, and cleanup. iNaturalist Ambassadors are especially encouraged to join us and help participants learn how to photograph, upload, and identify observations.

Participation may also qualify for volunteer, community-service, outreach, environmental-education, or community-science hours through participating organizations or programs. Anyone who needs their hours documented, verified, or logged with a particular volunteer program, school, or organization can email jess@rootedfuturescollective.org with the program name and any reporting requirements.

Bring a phone or camera if you’d like to document observations, dress for the weather, and come prepared to discover what starts moving when the rest of the city goes to sleep.

Free and family-friendly. All ages and experience levels are welcome.