Dan, Author at Butterfly Pavilion

Butterfly Pavilion experts encourage simple actions to protect invertebrates and their habitats

Media note: Photos, video and other editorial material is available by request. Rosie the Tarantula, other invertebrates and scientific experts are available for media appearances and interviews. Contact kstewart@butterflies.org

Westminster, Colo. – Feb. 20, 2019 – Nearly 40 percent of all insects, the hidden heroes of the animal kingdom, are vulnerable to extinction, according to a new study published in the journal Biological Conservation and making headlines around the world.

“People are asking us if this is cause for alarm,” said Patrick Tennyson, president and CEO of Colorado’s Butterfly Pavilion, the world’s only stand-alone, Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA)-accredited invertebrate zoo. “The answer is complex – kind of like insects themselves.”

As one of the few institutions focused solely on the state of invertebrates (animals without backbones) Butterfly Pavilion experts say more study is needed on this topic and needs to be done soon to truly answer this question.

“In addition to more research, acting on behalf of insects with a sense of urgency will make a critical difference in the outcome of this story,” said Mary Ann Colley, Butterfly Pavilion’s vice president of Science and Conservation.

Butterfly Pavilion is leading the way in ensuring invertebrates are protected for the future by providing unique, hands-on learning experiences in its exhibits and educational programs, conducting new research that sets the standard for zoos across the country, or building innovative solutions for species and habitat conservation in countries around the world.

“The challenges facing insects have never been greater, but Butterfly Pavilion is working hard to conserve these vitally important members of our environment and restore the balance to nature. There are many things people can do to help us in this work locally, regionally, and globally,” said Richard P. Reading, Ph.D., Butterfly Pavilion’s director of Research and Conservation, who is known for his work on grassland ecosystems in six continents, and has authored or edited eight books, more than 175 scientific papers and book chapters, and dozens of popular articles.

“We look forward to an ever-expanding role in reversing these severe declines in insect populations, working hand in hand with our people everywhere,” he added.

Butterfly Pavilion’s role is already far-reaching with a list of research and conservation projects in the U.S. that includes: Butterfly monitoring, dragonfly and firefly conservation, restoring pollinator habitat, consulting with the Bureau of Land Management on the restoration of coastal dunes, and leading the AZA’s effort to sustain invertebrate species for collections throughout North America.

Butterfly Pavilion also travels the globe to better understand and ultimately help invertebrates. Butterfly Pavilion researchers are working in Mongolia to study native butterflies and their ecology to create a conservation plan for the butterflies and all invertebrates. They are helping mitigate the conflict between humans and elephants in Nepal and Tanzania by installing bee fences to keep elephants from raiding local crops and food stores. And they are working throughout Saudi Arabia to help establish new protected areas and improve the management of existing protected areas in the country. For a full list of projects, visit Butterfly Pavilion’s blog.

Concerned citizens don’t need to a Ph.D. or passport to make a difference. Invertebrate conservation is something people from all walks of life can have an impact on.

“Invertebrate conservation is as simple as practicing clean gardening, recycling or composting,” said Colley. “If you want to take the next step, plant native plants, volunteer to restore pollinator habitat, or join institutions like Butterfly Pavilion and learn more.”

“Butterfly Pavilion will continue to drive conservation efforts and shape the perceptions of future generations of scientists, ecologists, educators and decision makers,” said Tennyson. “Just like the animals we study, Butterfly Pavilion is small but still has an important impact on the world.”

Butterfly Pavilion is open 9am to 5pm daily at 6252 West 104th Avenue in Westminster, Colo. Visit the website at www.butterflies.local.

About Butterfly Pavilion:
Butterfly Pavilion is the world’s only stand-alone, Association of Zoos and Aquariums-accredited invertebrate zoo dedicated to transforming the way people think about the small but mighty animals that are the hidden heroes of the animal kingdom. As the leader in invertebrate knowledge, inspiration and connection, and as a member institution of the Scientific and Cultural Facilities District, Butterfly Pavilion works to foster an appreciation of these critical animals by educating the public about the need to protect and care for threatened habitats globally, while conducting research for solutions in invertebrate conservation. Whether it is providing unique, hands-on learning experiences in our exhibits and educational programs, conducting new research that sets the standard for zoos across the country or building innovative solutions for species and habitat conservation in countries around the world, Butterfly Pavilion is leading the way in ensuring invertebrates are protected for the future. Learn more at butterflies.local.

# # #
Butterfly Pavilion Media Contact(s):
Kristen Petitt Stewart, kstewart@butterflies.org or 970-389-1561
Russ Pecoraro, Vice President of Marketing and Communications, rpecoraro@butterflies.org or 720.375.9984

By Kathryn Hokamp, Lepidopterist at Butterfly Pavilion

Click here to help protect pollinators

Monarch Butterflies (Danaus plexippus) have been in the news frequently in the past several months, and the information can be confusing and seem conflicting at times. There are reports of record low numbers of overwintering monarchs in California alongside apparent record high numbers of butterflies migrating through the Midwest. This can seem paradoxical, but it is important to remember that the monarch migration in the United States is split. Some Monarchs overwinter in California, some overwinter in Michoacán, Mexico, and some are part of non-migratory or semi-non-migratory populations in Florida and the Gulf States. As a rule, butterflies that migrate east of the Rocky Mountains overwinter in Michoacán, and butterflies west of the Rockies overwinter on the coast of California. See the map below from the Xerces Society for details, and note the mixing of populations as well as the uncertainty on the map (indicated with question marks and dashed lines). We know more about D. plexippus than we do about many butterflies, but our knowledge is far from complete.

What is happening in California?

The Xerces Society has been conducting a Thanksgiving count of overwintering monarchs in the state since 1997 with the help of citizen scientists. The count is conducted every year at various monarch overwintering sites in the weeks around the Thanksgiving holiday. This year’s count was extremely low with only 28,429 monarchs counted compared to 192,668 butterflies counted at the same sites in the previous year. This drop-off is even more concerning when compared to the estimated 4.5 million monarchs overwintering in California in the 1980s, showing a 99.4% decrease. A paper by Schultz et al. published in 2017 suggested that 30,000 butterflies is the probable threshold for the collapse of the western population of monarch butterflies, which means the population can likely still be saved, but it is important for conservation plans to go into effect immediately.

The Xerces Society has published an action plan to save the western monarch population which includes the following action items:

Protect and manage California overwintering sites.
Restore breeding and migratory habitat in California.
Protect monarchs and their habitat from pesticides
Protect, manage, and restore summer breeding and fall migration monarch habitat outside of California.
Answer key research questions about how to best aid western monarch recovery.

With this plan, the Xerces Society hopes to conserve the western monarch population and to restore monarchs to previous numbers in the west.

Are the eastern migratory monarchs still imperiled? Preliminary data suggests that the eastern migratory population is having a good year while the western migratory monarchs are having a catastrophically bad year, but both populations of monarchs are still under threat from human activity. The monarch population in Mexico declined 84% between 1996 and 2015, and a good year is not necessarily indicative of an upward trend in the population and may fall into normal fluctuation within the greater downward trend. Nonetheless, the apparent high numbers, while preliminary, are a good sign for the population and we need to continue to foster the growth of the migratory monarch population.

Why are the monarch overwintering numbers high in Michoacán and low in California? There are many possible factors contributing to the low numbers of western D. plexippus versus the apparent high numbers of eastern D. plexippus, but it is safe to suggest that the difference in success is related, at least in part, to the weather patterns in the United States during 2018. The fall saw record highs in amount of precipitation in much of the eastern United States, while the west saw widespread drought (see map below from NOAA). Drought affects monarchs in many ways including decreases in the number of flowering plants that meet adult nutritional needs, decreases in milkweed and milkweed reproduction (Asclepias sp. are the larval foodplant for D. plexippus), and increases in the number and size of forest fires creating hostile air conditions and decreasing viable habitat for the butterflies.

On the other hand, weather conditions in most of the east were very good for the monarchs in 2018. The conditions were good for supporting the growth of milkweed in the spring while D. plexippus was breeding, and the conditions remained good throughout 2018. We are likely to see more monarchs overwintering in Michoacán than have been seen in many years, but it is important to remember that we do not have definitive numbers from overwintering sites in Michoacán yet, and we are unlikely to have conclusive numbers before March, so the monarchs in Mexico may have lower or higher numbers than predicted. There are many factors beyond climate that will affect the size of the monarch population including, but not limited to:

Pesticide Use
Disease (most notably Ophryocystis elektroscirrha or OE)
Habitat destruction
Poor management of overwintering sites

What is the impact of Colorado? Colorado is in an excellent position to foster the survival of both the Eastern and Western Monarch populations for various reasons.

The eastern and western monarch populations mix along the Rocky Mountains, so Colorado is home to both populations (see below map from Monarch Watch)
While most monarchs migrating through the front range are likely heading to Mexico, we are very near the mixing point and are well positioned to support both the eastern and western populations
While Colorado does not see the large numbers of monarchs that migrate through other states to the east and the west, unusual weather patterns may push monarchs into the area, and we can help conservation efforts by providing butterfly habitats and recording monarchs seen in the area for Monarch Watch or Journey North

Questions to Consider:

Is it possible that there are monarch overwintering sites on the Pacific Coast that we do not know about? It is only 43 years ago that the scientific community in the United States and Canada even learned the location of the Monarch overwintering sites in Michoacán, and there is much we still do not know about the monarch migration.
Is it possible the overwintering sites are moving? We know climate change is affecting the distribution of the Asclecpias sp. needed for monarch breeding, and we know monarchs shift their overwintering sites, particularly in California, but the concern for western monarchs began with the low numbers observed breeding, so shifting in overwintering sites could not account for the extremely low numbers counted in California.
Could the western migratory monarchs be migrating to Mexico? Some monarchs migrate to Mexico from west of the Rocky Mountains, but it is not a large scale migration. We will know more about the numbers migrating to Mexico from the western United States once more tagged monarchs are recovered this winter, but it is unlikely to be a huge number.
How much do we know about the monarch migration? We know more about plexippus than we do about many butterflies, but much of the mechanics of the monarch migration is still a mystery. There are unconfirmed migration routes and unverified overwintering sites. There is much more to learn about Monarch Butterflies.

What you can do to help the monarchs

Make your garden a butterfly habitat! Plant native milkweed and nectar plants in your garden, and don’t treat your garden or lawn with pesticides. If the monarchs and other butterflies have good garden habitats for feeding and reproduction, they will have higher chances of survival.
Join Monarch Watch at Butterfly Pavilion and help us to tag monarchs in the fall! We need accurate data on monarch movement, and there is not a large amount of data coming from Colorado. We can help by tagging monarchs in our area that will hopefully be recovered later in the season.
Become a citizen scientist! We rely on data and observations from people around the country to understand monarchs and the things affecting their survival. This list includes many opportunities to get involved with monarch conservation as a citizen scientist, and Butterfly Pavilion can help as well! You can become a volunteer for the Colorado Butterfly Monitoring Network or contact us for more opportunities!
Read information from trusted sources when learning about monarchs and other invertebrates. Monarch butterflies are very popular animals, and some of the information generated about them is not based on good science. Monarch Watch and Monarch Joint Venture are good resources for any monarch questions.

Photo credit – 2018 precipitation departures from average. Areas in the purple shadings picked up at least 12 inches more than average in 2018. (NOAA/NWS) via weather.com

Julie Ann Barowski, Volunteer Manager at Butterfly Pavilion

One of the greatest aspects of Butterfly Pavilion is our people. Everyone from staff to volunteers brings their passion to the organization every day, making it possible for us to achieve big impacts in invertebrate and habitat conservation. Lorraine Martinez and Greg Gonzalez are no exception. They are current participants in the Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP), an innovative program through which seniors provide hands-on service to our organization, updating and learning new skills, in order to better prepare for reentering the workplace. SCSEP is funded by the U.S. Department of Labor and administered by Service, Employment, and Redevelopment (SER) National and Colorado is one of just 6 states that currently participate.

Before retirement, Lorraine Martinez worked for several departments of the State of Colorado and had a background in computers and administration. She decided to go back to work and discovered SCSEP through a friend. Through the program, Lorraine has trained at an art thrift store and with a student mentor program. At Butterfly Pavilion Lorraine wanted to focus on her computer skills and so her talents were put to use helping our Education team with data management, research, and other special projects.

Lorraine says in addition to feeling like she’s getting a full refresher course in computers, she’s excited to learn more about our animals and the work Butterfly Pavilion does behind the scenes. Lorraine says, “It’s amazing to see all the research and learn how important it is. It opens up a whole new world.” Lorraine says a really fun bonus of her work is sharing her new knowledge with her 5 grandkids. She takes home new facts to teach them and they get into conversations about insects.

Greg Gonzalez had a career as a lawyer before working in several managerial positions at mental health organizations. When his grant-funded position ended, Greg was on his way to enroll in an Excel class when he saw a sign for SCSEP. Greg is now exploring a variety of roles at Butterfly Pavilion using his vast skill set. He started as an exhibit interpreter, helping our guests learn more about and interact with animals. He also helps with school group logistics and is currently working on Spanish translations for exhibit signage in preparation for Butterfly Pavilion’s new facility in Broomfield opening in 2022.

Greg says that through this experience, he’s rediscovered his passion for learning. He especially enjoys teaching guests about animals here, with Rosie the Tarantula, horseshoe crabs, and the atlas moth being among his favorites. Greg enjoys connecting with our guests about how we share the planet with these amazing creatures. His passion is obvious, and he says, “I get excited every time I do exhibit interpretation because the kids get so excited, especially about Rosie. It’s fun. It’s contagious!”

Along with great experiences for Greg and Lorraine, their presence has had a fantastic impact on Butterfly Pavilion. “My interactions and witnessing the connections of others with our SCSEP trainees is one of the highlights of my day, every day. From checking in with Lorraine about how her family is doing to seeing Greg’s excitement when a school bus arrives, the actions of our SCESP participants are making a real tangible, positive difference in the culture of Butterfly Pavilion,” says Eric Oaks, Butterfly Pavilion School Programs Manager.

We are so thankful to have Greg and Lorraine as a part of our team, and we look forward to engaging other SCSEP participants in the future. If you or a senior you know is interested in learning more about SCSEP, you can visit www.seniorserviceamerica.org.

Distance Learning: It’s for Everyone, Near & Far

By Erin Dreps, School Programs Manager at Butterfly Pavilion

Field trips are no doubt a magical experience during which even the shortest bus ride feels like a stardust-powered transport to another world. While delivering lots of fun, they can also inspire excitement about learning and provide real-world insights into classroom topics. The win-win nature of this arrangement for students and teachers reinforces the magical quality of field trips.

We see this happening every day at Butterfly Pavilion: over 30,000 students pass through our doors on field trips every year. But increasingly, the wizardry required to pull off a field trip is getting more complex as teachers face ever greater obstacles when transporting students off site. The rising cost of buses district transportation, “blackout” dates, needing longer travel times in the thickening gridlock – these are just some of the barriers cited by teachers we work with who want to take their students on a field trip.

While Butterfly Pavilion has always offered outreach programs, in which an educator travels to a school or community site to meet folks where they are, this can still pose logistical challenges for schools and it does not avoid the travel costs altogether. Even with scholarships offered to qualifying groups, the costs and challenges taken together have some teachers looking for alternatives. Then, of course, there are the students who simply live too far from Butterfly Pavilion to enjoy a field trip or an outreach.

Enter distance learning. Distance learning (DL), sometimes called “virtual field trips,” offers classrooms the opportunity to connect with Butterfly Pavilion educators via interactive videoconferencing. This avoids travel costs and hassles of all kinds while still enabling students to connect with experts and welcome a virtual “visitor” to their classroom.

Butterfly Pavilion has been in the DL game since 2016, offering both “point-to-point” programs (connecting with one classroom at a time) and webinar-style programs (connecting with lots of classrooms and homeschoolers all over the world simultaneously). Despite initial trepidation about the types of interactions we could facilitate as a face on the screen, we’ve learned a lot quickly:

First, because the instructor is not physically in the same room as the students and because it’s not very practical to share props or materials with the students, each program builds in some sort of hands-on activity with a low materials requirement – printouts and basic classroom supplies that teachers can easily provide. These printouts can be a bigger-than-life size diagram of a tarantula whose anatomy students label during the program, an aerial view of Butterfly Pavilion with bee sightings map which students inventory as a simulation of citizen science data collection, or a map of North American on which students trace the monarch butterflies’ migration as they imagine themselves journeying alongside these impressive insects. Including a hands-on element for the students to interact with helps to offset the fact that facilitating actual physical movement via videoconference is not necessarily feasible. Next, while the instructor, with the in-classroom teacher’s help, is able to call on and hear from some students in point-to-point programs (and students or their teachers can participate via chat boxes in the webinars), this process is not as efficient as it is in person. So, instead, we build in turn-and-talk moments so that students still get to share their ideas, even if not with the entire group.

While there may not be a magic school bus moment in a virtual field trip, DL still supports student learning and engagement and supplements the regular classroom curriculum while introducing a bit of novelty (once, getting ready to sign off, a student ran up to the camera and asked, “Are you on TV??”). The care we’ve put into ensuring these programs are interactive and meaningful has been reflected in the awards bestowed upon them by the Colorado Distance Learning Association (2016), the Colorado Alliance for Environmental Education (2017), and the Center for Interactive Learning and Collaboration (2018).

Want to bring DL into your classroom or homeschool? It’s easy.

Join our free Wild Wetlands live stream event on January 31.
Book one of our point-to-point programs any time.

Email us at education@butterflies.org with any questions!

By Amy Yarger, Horticulture Director at Butterfly Pavilion

Have you ever been inside a snow globe? One of the perks of visiting Butterfly Pavilion in the winter is enjoying an “inside-out” snow globe experience. Outside it may be cold and snowy, but inside, there is warmth and color and the dancing of butterflies. It’s one of my favorite experiences, and it wouldn’t be the same without the colors, textures and fragrances of the exotic plants found in Wings of the Tropics.

One of the favorite winter bloomers among the Butterfly Pavilion team is Dombeya wallichii or dombeya tree. D. wallichii (pictured above), a native of East Africa and Madagascar, is a broad-leaved tree which may reach a height of 30 feet in the wild. Every December and January, dangling clusters of pink flowers appear from the branches. Its claim to fame, however, is the fragrance: Butterfly Pavilion staff and volunteers have taken to calling it the “caramel corn tree”. The fragrant flowers produce prodigious nectar, so be on the lookout for greater egg flies and paper kite butterflies visiting the flowers.

Another winter-blooming plant found in Wings of the Tropics is the red powderpuff, or Calliandra haematocephala (pictured above). This is one of three Calliandra species we grow in Wings of the Tropics. The big brushy red flowers, present from December through March, are especially attractive to our larger butterflies, such as swallowtails and birdwings. I like to call it the “Elmo Tree,” because the after a day or two, the flowers look rather Muppet-like.

For sheer number of winter flowers, it is hard to beat Clerodendrum splendens (pictured above) in the winter. This fast-growing West African vine clambers over many parts of the exhibit, and most of the year, visitors only see it as yet another green climber in the tropical landscape. From about Thanksgiving on, however, the green is replaced by clusters of scarlet flowers. On sunny days, clusters of butterflies drink nectar from the blossoms. When the blossoms fall, the sepals remain purplish-pink, adding still more color.

Other flowering plants in Wings of the Tropics bloom throughout the year; this is important, because most of our butterflies rely on flower nectar for their food. We enjoy the flowers for their beauty, the butterflies enjoy them for their breakfasts. Daily programs such as our “Rainforest Tour” or even our monthly Tripod Photography sessions will allow you to get a closer view of these and other plants. Or, if you simply find yourself experiencing botanical withdrawal, come pay us a visit. It’s like a tropical vacation without the long airport lines!

About Butterfly Pavilion:
Here at Butterfly Pavilion, we transform the way people think about invertebrates. These small but mighty animals that surround us are so much more than people think. They are everywhere, because everything depends on them. They are the hidden heroes of the animal kingdom. As the world’s only stand-alone invertebrate zoo accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, Butterfly Pavilion works to foster an appreciation of these critical animals by educating the public about the need to protect and care for threatened habitats globally, while conducting research for solutions in invertebrate conservation. Whether it is providing unique, hands-on learning experiences in our exhibits and educational programs, conducting new research that sets the standard for zoos across the country or building innovative solutions for species and habitat conservation in countries around the world, Butterfly Pavilion is leading the way in ensuring invertebrates are protected for the future. Learn more at butterflies.local.

# # #

Butterfly Pavilion Media Contact(s):
Kristen Petitt Stewart, kstewart@butterflies.org or 970-389-1561
Russ Pecoraro, Vice President of Marketing and Communications, rpecoraro@butterflies.org or 720.375.9984

Discover spineless wonders this holiday season.

Dec. 1-31, 2018, enjoy special animal showcase and wear your favorite holiday sweater to get $2 off admission. December is the perfect time to enjoy a trip to the Tropics!

Media note: Photos, video and other editorial material is available by request. Rosie the Tarantula, other invertebrates and scientific experts are available for media appearances and interviews. Contact kstewart@butterflies.org

Westminster, Colo. – November 27, 2018 – “♫On the first day of invertebrates at the BP, I held Rosie.♫” Wait, an invertebrate for the holidays? That’s exactly what guests will find during the 12 Days of Invertebrates showcase at Colorado’s Butterfly Pavilion, Dec. 1-31, 2018. The holiday-themed exhibit also includes 12 butterflies flitting, 11 bees buzzing, 10 stick insects hiding, 9 sun beetles pooping, and the list goes on in the spirit of the classic holiday song. In all, 12 spineless wonders will be highlighted during the month of December.

In addition to seeing the 12 different animals highlighted in this exhibit, the public can hear the entire list in a special 12 Invertebrates of Christmas song, premiering Saturday, Dec. 1 on butterflies.local and Butterfly Pavilion’s social channels. The original song created just for Butterfly Pavilion, has been penned and performed by Boulder’s own Jeff & Page, the musical duo who bring science and nature to life through kid-delighting music and stories.

Visit butterflies.local to learn more about the 12 Days of Invertebrates, hear the song (starting Dec. 1) and learn more about ongoing exhibits and other programs. The 12 Days of Invertebrates showcase is included in general admission and is $8/children (2-12), $12/adults (Westminster residents $10), $10/seniors and children under 2 are free. During December, wear a holiday sweater and get $2 off admission!

December is the perfect time to enjoy a trip to the Tropics
With an arctic blast heading toward Colorado this weekend, it’s easy to stay warm in the Wings of the Tropics exhibit! The 7,200 square-foot, indoor tropical rainforest averages a balmy 70 degrees during the winter and features stunning tropical plants in bloom and free-flying butterflies from around the world! The indoor zoo and play area provide the perfect opportunity for the whole family to get their winter wiggles out while engaging with science, incredible live animals, and learning focused on habitat and species conservation. Visit Butterfly Pavilion from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. daily, 6252 West 104th Ave., Westminster, CO 80020. Last entry is at 4:15 p.m.

Give the gift of over 5,000 invertebrates this Holiday
A Butterfly Pavilion Membership makes the perfect gift for families, friends or anyone with a young (or young at heart) science or animal enthusiast on their hands. It comes with hours of entertainment and education, as well as the knowledge that membership helps support the conservation and research work Butterfly Pavilion is doing all around the globe. A Butterfly Pavilion zoo membership opens the door to science learning, invertebrate exploration and year-round entertainment that will engage and inspire.

Butterfly Pavilion membership includes: unlimited admission all year, guest passes and discounted guest admission rates, VIP access to events and special sneak peeks, 10% discount on all camps and programs for kids and adults, 10% discount on birthday parties and private event rentals and much more. Memberships (and renewals) are now on sale at butterflies.local.

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Colorado State University and Butterfly Pavilion Formalize Partnership

By Dr. Rich Reading, Director of Conservation at Butterfly Pavilion, and Mary Ann Colley, VP of Science and Conservation at Butterfly Pavilion.

What kinds of habitats do tarantulas prefer? How do we best stimulate our octopuses with enrichment? These are just a couple of the fascinating questions that students from Colorado State University (CSU) have researched in the strong and growing partnership between our two world-class organizations.

With dozens of students from CSU coming to work as paid and unpaid interns for Butterfly Pavilion over the years, our organizations have been working together for decades, but only recently has that partnership been formalized in a signed Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). More specifically, BP signed the MOU with CSU’s College of Agricultural Sciences and we are working to develop a second MOU with the College of Natural Sciences.

In addition to ensuring meaningful experiences for CSU interns, the MOU will allow for scientists from both CSU and Butterfly Pavilion to take either Research Associate or Affiliate Faculty positions at each other’s institutions, expanding the impact of both organizations. Dr. Ruth Hufbauer of CSU’s Department of Bioagricultural Sciences and Pest Management (BSPM; where most of CSU’s entomologists and the Gillette Museum of Arthropod Diversity reside) within the College of Ag and Dr. Jennie Willis of CSU’s Department of Biology within the College of Natural Sciences have both become Research Associates at Butterfly Pavilion. On the Butterfly Pavilion side, Dr. Rich Reading, Director of Conservation, has become an Affiliate Faculty member with the College of Ag and Mary Ann Colley, Vice President of Science and Conservation, has become an Affiliate Faculty member within the Department of Biology. Along with these positions, these folks will act as the main liaisons between the two organizations as we implement the cooperative agreements.

As outlined in our agreement, there are three primary objectives of this partnership:

Improve the quantity and quality of conservation, management and research projects conducted by both partners.
Increase the educational opportunities for students at CSU through internships; jointly conducted research and conservation projects; and conservation education opportunities.
Increase the visibility of the work conducted by BP and CSU among the general public, but especially BP visitors.

In addition, the cooperative agreement outlines the obligations of each party and better describes how we will work together. For example, we will use the C. P. Gillette Museum as a repository for insects we collect during our field research projects, solving the problem of where we can store these animals while adding to the growth of the museum’s collection. Most of our collaboration, however, revolves around joint research projects and providing for opportunities for CSU students. In this win-win, we get high quality interns and the students get access to our collection and real world experiences with meaningful work.

As we continue to build the Center for Invertebrate Research and Conservation (CIRC), partnering with CSU will become even more important and these cooperative agreements will help guide our relationship with a great university.

About Butterfly Pavilion:

Butterfly Pavilion is the world’s only stand-alone, Association of Zoos and Aquariums-accredited invertebrate zoo dedicated to transforming the way people think about the small but mighty animals that are the hidden heroes of the animal kingdom. As the leader in invertebrate knowledge, inspiration and connection, and as a member institution of the Scientific and Cultural Facilities District, Butterfly Pavilion works to foster an appreciation of these critical animals by educating the public about the need to protect and care for threatened habitats globally, while conducting research for solutions in invertebrate conservation. Whether it is providing unique, hands-on learning experiences in our exhibits and educational programs, conducting new research that sets the standard for zoos across the country or building innovative solutions for species and habitat conservation in countries around the world, Butterfly Pavilion is leading the way in ensuring invertebrates are protected for the future. Learn more at butterflies.local.

By Mindy Wagner, Interpretation Manager at Butterfly Pavilion

A few months ago when I was walking through Lair o’ the Bear Park with my bonus kids, we noticed a honey bee drinking from the river. The bee looked tiny compared to the surrounding rocks, sticks and our dog, Pepper. But despite all this, we were all captivated by this bee. We got down on our bellies (at a safe distance) and watched this bee for what seemed like minutes (anyone with small kiddos can understand how impressive that is). Ever since this moment, the kids have looked differently at bees. Instead of “Ahh a bee!” I hear “Look at that cute bee!” Instead of squashing the bee they are simply watching the bee in an aerial dance on its search for food. Every day at Butterfly Pavilion we strive to make similar meaningful connections that inspire guests of all ages and provide real attainable actions everyone can take to protect animals and the environment – to become environmental stewards.

I do often worry that “environmental stewardship” feels like an unattainable goal to many people. Our lives are busy and costs are always a consideration, but much like our small but mighty animals, small but mighty conscious decisions to take action do make a difference and can lead to more long-term environmental stewardship around us. But what inspires people to take these actions, especially with animals like spiders and beetles? Butterfly Pavilion believes creating meaningful interactions with these animals is crucial to inspiring guests. This happens through touch experiences in our exhibits, live animal shows, outreach programs and on-site classes. We encourage a fearful child to hold a tarantula for the first time and watch them light up with curiosity and amazement. We engage students to ask questions after watching a mantis shrimp obliterate its dinner. These programs and more at Butterfly Pavilion and zoos around the United States successfully influence attitudes about conservation and stewardship (Yerke and Burns, 1991 and Davison et al., 1993.)

Zoos and aquariums have come a long way from our controversial past. We no longer seek to simply entertain but are instead a hub for environmental research, conservation and education programs. Visits to zoos, like Butterfly Pavilion, prompt individuals to reconsider their role in environmental problems and conservation action, while helping them to see themselves as part of the solution (Faulk et al., 2007.) It is our responsibility as a zoo to provide our guests with knowledge and opportunities that actively promote conservation action. Below is a list of the many small and large opportunities Butterfly Pavilion provide to support our guests on their environmental stewardship journey.

Ocean Conservation – Do you love seafood? Visit the Water’s Edge exhibit at Butterfly Pavilion to learn about choosing sustainable seafood and many other conservation actions you can take to protect the health of our oceans, even from Colorado!
Recycling and Compost – Which bin does that trash go in? We offer guests opportunities to learn about recycling and composting both at Butterfly Pavilion and at home.
Plastic Bag Pledge Days – Can you ditch the plastic bag? Join Butterfly Pavilion on November 17^th from 10-3 for your opportunity to pledge to use only reusable bags and receive a free cloth bag for your next grocery store trip.
Colorado Backyard – Our new exhibit opening at Butterfly Pavilion in March of 2019 will provide even more ideas and opportunities for conservation actions right here in Colorado.
Citizen Science, Habitat Clean Up, and Habitat Restoration – Programs including the Colorado Butterfly Monitoring Network and the Urban Prairies Project allow committed individuals to get their hands dirty and help the plants and animals around Butterfly Pavilion and throughout Colorado. We also offer many one day habitat restoration projects, senior habitat gardening, and river clean up opportunities throughout the year. Keep checking butterflies.local for more information.
Science Classes and Talks – Beekeeping Bootcamp, Nature Journaling, Scout Days, Camps and the Nature Nerds Family Club are just a few of the many classes that provide individuals and families opportunities for exploration and investigation into our natural world and how to care for it. Check out our upcoming children and family programs and our adult programs.
On-site Programming – All programs at Butterfly Pavilion offer conservation messaging and actions. Learn about ways to protect the rainforests and coral reefs and why that is so crucial to our survival as humans at our daily programs and World Conservation Days throughout the year.

While zoos and aquariums have achieved great success in conservation and environmental stewardship, there is still work to do (Marino et al. 2010.) If we want to continue to build and foster environmental stewardship in younger generations, zoos must provide on-site science career education and training (Gang, J.) This is an important goal for Butterfly Pavilion as we transition to the Center for Invertebrate Research and Conservation (CIRC), the new state-of-the-art facility we’ll be opening in Broomfield in 2022. Butterfly Pavilion at CIRC will be across the street from a STEM school with whom we will partner to offer hands-on active classrooms, not only teaching, but demonstrating and actively involving school aged children in conservation actions.

I’m so happy that my bonus children, and thousands of other individuals every year, have the opportunity to participate in the many programs that organizations like Butterfly Pavilion provide, which inspire taking a more active role in ensuring the natural world is protected for the future.

I want to hear what you think! Does Butterfly Pavilion inspire and support you and your family in taking steps towards environmental stewardship? Take the survey here!

Learning More

For information about participating in any of our education programs, please contact the Department of Education at 720-974-1861 or registrar@butterflies.org .

For information about volunteering with education or interpretation programs, please contact the Department of Education at 720-974-1861 or registrar@butterflies.org .

Contributions to all areas of Education in any amount are welcome and provide important, direct support to the costs of annual programming. For information about supporting Butterfly Pavilion’s educational programs, please contact 720.974.1863 or pmcmullenbushman@butterflies.org .

Sources

Falk, J.H.; Reinhard, E.M.; Vernon, C.L.; Bronnenkant, K.; Deans, N.L.; Heimlich, J.E., (2007). Why Zoos & Aquariums Matter: Assessing the Impact of a Visit. Association of Zoos & Aquariums. Silver Spring, MD.

Marino, L.; Lilienfeld, S.O.; Malamud, R.; Nobis, N.; Brogliod, R., (2010). Do Zoos and Aquariums Promote Attitude Change in Visitors? A Critical Evaluation of the American Zoo and Aquarium Study. Society and Animals 18: 126-138.

Gang, J. From Exhibit to Classroom: Transitioning Zoos and Aquariums for the Twenty-First Century. Center for Humans and Nature. Available at https://www.humansandnature.org/from-exhibit-to-classroom-transitioning-zoos-and-aquariums-for-the-twenty-first-century

Davison, V.M.; McMahon, L.; Skinner, T.L.; Horton, C.M.; Parks, B.J., (1993). Animals as actors: take 2. Annual Proceedings of the American Association of Zoological Parks and Aquariums, 150-155.

Yerke, R.; Burns, A., (1991). Measuring the impact of animal shows on visitor attitudes. Annual Proceedings of the American Association of Zoological Parks and Aquariums, 532-534.

Povey, K.; Winsten, K., (2015) CEC Ambassador Animal Position Statement. Association of Zoos and Aquariums. Available at https://www.aza.org/cec-ambassador-animal-position-statement

Invertebrates are in trouble.

Latest National Academy of Sciences report shows startling loss of insect abundance.

At Butterfly Pavilion, we’ve closely monitored the dramatic declines in invertebrate populations for several years. The latest study published in the National Academy of Sciences showing the startling loss of insect abundance in Puerto Rico over the last 35 years is further proof that invertebrates, the unsung heroes of our world, are in peril and fuels Butterfly Pavilion’s mission to create a global hub for invertebrate science, conservation and education where we will continue to contribute additional research and monitoring; engage in meaningful invertebrate conservation; and summarize and communicate all of this work to the public.