The Department of Natural Resources invites the public to view the new monarch butterfly exhibit at the Eddy Discovery Center at Waterloo Recreation Area near Chelsea. The exhibit is housed in the center's Critter Room.

Visitors can observe each stage of a monarch's development, from egg to a caterpillar feeding on milkweed, then followed by the "J" formation that caterpillars make prior to forming the chrysalis. Once the butterflies emerge, they are released daily in the late afternoon once their wings have hardened.

In addition to the butterflies, the Waterloo Critter Room is also planning to have an ant lion exhibit, and several different species of turtle hatchlings, including map, painted and snapping turtles. All critters will be released once they have matured. The turtles will hatch sometime in August, and then be released once they have absorbed their egg sacks and the weather is still warm, probably during September.

All programs at the Eddy Discovery Center are free. The visitor center is located at the Waterloo State Recreation Area at 17030 Bush Rd. in Chelsea, between Pierce and McClure roads off of Exit 157 on I-94.

For more information about this event, accessibility, or persons needing accommodations to attend this event, contact the visitor center at (734) 475-3170 (TTY/TDD 711 Michigan Relay Center for the hearing impaired), or visit www.michigan.gov/waterloo. Camping reservations can be made online at www.midnrreservations.com, or by calling 800-44-PARKS (800-447-2757).

All motor vehicles entering a state park or recreation area must display a Motor Vehicle Permit, available for purchase at the park entrance. Cost is $24 for a resident annual and $6 for a resident daily. A nonresident annual is $29 and a nonresident daily is $8.

Join the DNR in celebrating the 90th anniversary of Michigan State Parks this year. Activities are planned throughout the year. For more information, visit www.michigan.gov/dnr.