Latest news with #FireflyFestival
Miami Herald
22-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Miami Herald
Want to see fireflies this summer? Add these magical US destinations to your list
If you've ever stepped outside on a warm night and caught a glimpse of glowing lights appearing in the dark, you probably know the magic of fireflies. There's something magical and nostalgic about them, since these light-up bugs have been synonymous with summer evenings for generations. If you're looking to step back into a childhood memory or just looking for a peaceful escape into nature, here are some of the best places across the U.S. to catch fireflies in action this summer. High Bridge Trail State Park, Virginia On June 20–21, 2025, from 7 to 11 p.m., High Bridge Trail State Park invites visitors to witness the spectacular sight of thousands of fireflies illuminating the treetops below the historic High Bridge. The event includes food trucks, nature talks and self-guided walks through the forest. Grandfather Mountain, North Carolina The 'Grandfather Glows' events are scheduled for June 29, July 1, and July 3, 2025. These special evenings open the nature park for guided bioluminescent viewing during peak firefly season, offering both educational programs and scenic views. Terhune Orchards, Princeton, New Jersey On June 29, 2025, Terhune Orchards hosts its beloved Firefly Festival — a family-friendly event that combines live music, treats from the farm store and glowing fields at dusk. Admission is free and the atmosphere is as sweet as the cider they serve. Tremper Mound Preserve, Portsmouth, Ohio From June 20–22, 2025, join the Arc of Appalachia for Firefly Weekend. This is an immersive retreat with meals, lodging options and expert-led firefly observations in the ancient Tremper Mound Preserve. Kellettville Campground, Pennsylvania The PA Firefly Festival's camping events return June 26–28, 2025. Held in the heart of the Allegheny National Forest, these gatherings are part fundraiser, part firefly conservation event (and fully magical to boot). Norton Creek Preserve, Tennessee From June 5–8, 2025, guests can attend 'Fireflies at Norton Creek,' just outside Great Smoky Mountains National Park. This guided event features synchronous and blue ghost fireflies, plus refreshments and naturalist insights. Sierra Nevada Foothills, California Most people don't associate the West Coast with fireflies, but small populations do exist in parts of California — especially in the Sierra Nevada foothills around June and July. Keep your eyes out in damp meadows or near streams around places like Grass Valley and Nevada City, where locals report summer sightings. It's not a guaranteed show, but catching them here feels like discovering a hidden treasure. Firefly-watching tips Go just after sunset on warm, muggy eveningsSkip the flashlights (or use a red filter)Stay still and let your eyes adjust, then wait for the magic
Time of India
28-04-2025
- Time of India
Annual festival impacts firefly population: Pune activist to NGT
1 2 Pune: The National Green Tribunal ( NGT ) has issued notices to the state forest and tourism departments seeking clarification whether the current guidelines governing the Firefly Festival (Kajwa Mahotsav) held annually between May and June were being properly implemented and were these enough to prevent ecological harm. The directives came after a petition was filed by environmentalist Ganesh Borhade. He urged the tribunal to direct the authorities to frame comprehensive and detailed guidelines for protection and conservation of fireflies, particularly within the Kalsubai wildlife sanctuary . You Can Also Check: Pune AQI | Weather in Pune | Bank Holidays in Pune | Public Holidays in Pune Borhade said the sanctuary experiences significant ecological disturbances during the festival because of unregulated tourism. He said artificial lighting from flashlights, mobile phones and vehicle headlights interferes with the natural mating behaviour of fireflies and is contributing to a significant decline in their population. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 2025 Top Trending local enterprise accounting software [Click Here] Esseps Learn More Undo "Fireflies rely on bioluminescent signals for reproduction and increased light pollution during the festival negatively impacts their reproductive success," he said in his petition. Ambrish More had started the festival in 2012 around Arthur Lake and Bhandardara dam in Ahilyanagar district. He said, "I never expected the situation to become this bad when I first started to take tourists to see fireflies. Looking at the current situation, I often feel I made a mistake by exposing the spot to tourists and I may not be able to forgive myself for it." More further said the firefly population will vanish entirely from the region if authorities fail to restrict tourist activities in the area. "There is an urgent need to stop the festival for the next two to three years, at least. If authorities fail to act, I will personally send a legal notice to the forest department on the matter," he added. The festival started in Ahilyanagar and Nashik districts initially. Now it is also celebrated in other places like Bhimashankar, Malshej Ghat and Rajmachi in Pune and Radhanagri in Kolhapur district. Activists said tour operators set up tents and tourists often play loud music which adversely impacts the wildlife. Professional trekker Vinayak Wadekar, who has been visiting the areas for over two decades, observed a worrying trend. "The firefly population has dropped by nearly 20% to 30% in just the last few years as based on my experience," he said. Wadekar further said lack of management leads to heavy congestion in the area troubling local residents as tourists park their vehicles on the road blocking movement of other vehicles completely. Borhade said private operators are permitted by the forest department to set up tents and camping facilities within the eco-sensitive zone. He further said local forest officials issued a set of guidelines last year, but it proved inadequate to manage the situation — with most not being followed by tourists. Meanwhile, the NGT bench has directed the state forest and tourism departments to submit their affidavits within four weeks.
