Courtenay Smith, Executive Director Texas Botanical Gardens & Native American Interpretive Center, Inc.
Goldthwaite, TX — July 6, 2026 — The Texas Botanical Gardens & Native American Interpretive Center, Inc. (TBGNAIC) invites the public to experience the beauty and mystery of the natural world after dark during Sip, Savor, and Study: A Mothing Soirée with Tessa Boucher, Wildlife Biologist with Texas Parks & Wildlife, on Friday, July 17, from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. at the Texas Botanical Gardens, 1219 Fisher Street, Goldthwaite, Texas.
This unique program offers participants the opportunity to discover the fascinating and often-overlooked world of moths and nocturnal insects while enjoying a relaxed atmosphere of conversation, exploration, and refreshments in the Gardens at night.
The evening begins at dusk with an engaging presentation by Tessa Boucher, who will introduce participants to the practice of mothing—the observation, identification, and documentation of moths and other moonlight-loving insects. Guests will learn about their remarkable diversity, their essential ecological roles, and practical techniques for observing and humanely capturing and documenting these extraordinary creatures.
As darkness settles in, participants will venture over to multiple observation stations set up across a variety of habitats in the Gardens to examine moths and other nighttime species. Guests are encouraged to move at their own pace, enjoy light bites and beverages, socialize with fellow nature enthusiasts, and experience firsthand the wonders of the natural world after sunset.
Boucher earned both her B.S. and M.S. degrees in Environmental Science from the University of North Texas and now serves as the Texas Parks and Wildlife District Wildlife Biologist for Mills and Hamilton counties. “As a biologist, I have a huge passion for insects and birds because of their roles in the ecosystem,” says Boucher, who developed her lifelong love of nature during her childhood in Louisiana. “I would spend entire days exploring the woods and lakes. I was fascinated by all the wonderful plants and animals I encountered,” she says. “Believe it or not, I was once extremely afraid of ‘bugs,’ but one day I decided I wasn’t going to be afraid of them anymore. I was then able to see the complex beauty they hold, and my curiosity was ignited.”
Mothing has become increasingly popular among naturalists, photographers, and citizen scientists and offers a unique opportunity for everyone to contribute to the documentation of biodiversity while gaining a deeper appreciation for the ecological importance of insects. Texas is home to an extraordinary diversity of nocturnal moths—from giant, colorful silk moths to impressive bat-sized species—that play vital roles as pollinators, food sources for wildlife, and indicators of ecosystem health. They can often be observed throughout Central and East Texas near porch lights and fragrant night-blooming flowers.
This program is designed for curious beginners, families, amateur naturalists, photographers, and anyone interested in experiencing the rich biodiversity of Central Texas in a new way. No previous experience is necessary. The event is free for TBGNAIC members, $5 for nonmembers.