By Parker McMullen Bushman, VP of Programs, Interpretation and Education at Butterfly Pavilion

On a mild spring morning, a group of second-graders shuffle into the one of the two onsite classrooms at Butterfly Pavilion. They’ve just gotten off of a school bus and aren’t sure what to expect from their visit. After a short lesson student scientists are set free to observe live animals, study models and specimens and use a simple dichotomous key to identify common arthropod characteristics and practice classifying insects, spiders and other spineless creatures. The students break their silence and erupt with excitement. “Whoa!” they say, elbowing each other. “Look at that bug!” “What is it doing?” “Are those the babies?” The magic is brewing and learning has begun.

This is a normal day of classes at Butterfly Pavilion. Each year Butterfly Pavilion serves thousands of students through field trips, facilitated classes and outreach programs. These environmental education (EE) experiences in elementary and middle school provide students with opportunities to generate an appreciation of the natural world during the earliest stages of knowledge development (Sobel, 2004). Butterfly Pavilion’s mission is to foster an appreciation of invertebrates by educating the public about the need to protect and care for threatened habitats globally, while conducting research for solutions in invertebrate conservation.

Invertebrates are an extremely effective and relatable method for teaching students about the environment. A 2018 study found that lessons that used insects had a significant impact on student interest in environmental and entomological topics. In addition students found lessons that included insects to be more interesting, valuable and important over the course of the year (Weeks, 2018). This isn’t surprising, insects are very relatable animals and can be found in every home and backyard. Invertebrates are the most successful and prolific animals on the planet. They have adapted to occupy practically every ecological niche. This makes for easily accessed and super relevant teaching materials.

As our global population continues to grow and put pressure on the world’s natural resources, it becomes increasingly important for people to understand the impact of their choices on the environment. EE classes like the ones offered at Butterfly Pavilion give students knowledge of the natural and man-made world and the interactions between the two. EE develops the necessary skills needed to address the challenges that arise from those interactions and instills the motivation to take responsible action at all levels toward a solution. In addition to increasing student knowledge of their impact on natural resources, research has shown enormous learning benefits from EE. When integrated into school science curriculum, EE noticeably increases student achievement in science, math and social studies (NEETF, 2000).

At Butterfly Pavilion it is important to us to make sure that all students have access to EE experiences. In 2017 Butterfly Pavilion served 57,571 students through EE programming. In order to make these programs more accessible, Butterfly Pavilion awarded $43,906 in scholarships to 12,105 underserved students and campers. Butterfly Pavilion also provides qualifying Title I schools subsidized comprehensive programming as well. For 15 years Butterfly Pavilion has worked with low-income children and their families through our Growing Scientists: Sparking STEM in Early Learners Program. Each year this free, inter-disciplinary and experiential science project for grades K to 2 provides approximately 4,000 children, their families and approximately 70 teachers in seven Title I schools in Denver Public Schools and Adams 12 Five Star District an opportunity to engage in real world learning experiences and a powerful science environment. Students benefit from engaging and effective educational programming via the three participating scientific and cultural institutions – Butterfly Pavilion, Children’s Museum of Denver at Marsico Campus and Denver Botanic Gardens. Teachers benefit from professional development and educational materials that complement the classroom curriculum and encourage their leadership within their schools and communities.

Environmental education programming such as Growing Scientists are especially important when community resources and school district budgets are limited. These opportunities connect classroom concepts to the real world, create memories and provide a more holistic learning experience. The children and families served through Growing Scientists may not have these experiences without the support of the program and its partners. Funding helps subsidize student, teacher and family programs and transportation fees so that all Growing Scientist students have free access to these enriching and often career-shaping experiences.

Former US Department of Education Secretary Arne Duncan stated at the 2010 Sustainability Education Summit, “Right now, in the second decade of the 21st century, preparing our students to be good environmental citizens is some of the most important work any of us can do. It is for our children, and our children’s children, and generations yet to come.” Whether we bring nature into the classroom, take students into the outdoors to learn or find impromptu teachable moments with guest in our exhibits, at Butterfly Pavilion we are connecting learners of all ages to the world around us. We are preparing the leaders and stewards of tomorrow and we take this call to action very seriously, but also joyfully. Because it is hard not to smile when a 2^nd grader, holding Rosie the tarantula, squeals in delight and wonder.

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 .

Citations

NEETF. (2000). Environment-based Education: Creating high performance schools and students. (A report available at www.neetf.org). Washington, D.C.: The National Environmental Education & Training Foundation (NEETF).

Sobel, David (2004) Place-Based Education, Connecting Classrooms & Communities, Great Barrington, MA: The Orion Society.

Weeks, F.J., & Oseto, C.Y. (2018). Interest in Insects: The Role of Entomology in Environmental Education. Insects.

Butterfly Pavilions new brand celebrates Butterfly Pavilion’s heritage while highlighting the inextricable link between humans and invertebrates. The organization’s new web site simplifies navigation so visitors can explore the world of invertebrates faster and easier.

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. – Sept. 27, 2018 – Colorado’s Butterfly Pavilion has launched a new brand and website signaling its transformation into an asset for the global community focused on invertebrate science, conservation and education, in addition to being a beloved destination for kids and families looking to learn more about these unsung heroes of life.

“Butterfly Pavilion deserves a brand that not only captures the imaginations of kids and their parents, but also speaks to the global community of scholars, researchers, scientists and educators who will flock to Butterfly Pavilion as the hub of invertebrate science,” said Patrick Tennyson, Butterfly Pavilion’s president and CEO.

The new brand reflects Butterfly Pavilion’s status as an accredited zoological organization engaged in invertebrate research and conservation projects all around the world, its role as an educational institution serving 60,000 kids every year, as well as the sentimental place it occupies in the hearts of generations of Coloradoans as a cherished community and cultural asset. It also highlights the critical role invertebrates play as the foundation of virtually every ecosystem on the planet.

The website has a radically simplified architecture making it lightweight for quick uploads, optimizing it for mobile devices, as nearly 65 percent of Butterfly Pavilion guests access the site through that platform as they look for things to do with their families. Information about exhibits, events, and news on Butterfly Pavilion’s research and conservation efforts is easily accessible. Buying tickets and memberships, donating, and signing up for programs and classes are streamlined for the user’s convenience.

“As we undergo this transformation, Butterfly Pavilion will continue to drive conservation efforts and shape the perceptions of future generations of scientists, ecologists, educators and decision makers,” said Tennyson.

Butterfly Pavilion is open 9am to 5pm daily at 6252 West 104^th 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.

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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

We Are Butterfly Pavilion

At Butterfly Pavilion, we are committed to changing the way people thing about invertebrates. The truth is, we are inextricably linked with these tiny giants.

Our Vision:

Butterfly Pavilion is the premier invertebrate research, conservation and education institution in the world.

Our Mission:

To foster an appreciation of invertebrates by educating the public about the need to protect and care for threatened habitats globally, while conducting research for solutions in invertebrate conservation.

In conjunction with National Pollinator Week, Colorado’s Butterfly Pavilion is proud to announce a new beehive management agreement with Denver farm-to-table restaurant group, Edible Beats. Starting this month, Butterfly Pavilion staff entomologists will begin managing a beehive at the restaurant group’s 4,000 square foot urban garden in the heart of Denver to provide local, raw honey in its five Denver restaurants.

In conjunction with National Pollinator Week, Colorado’s Butterfly Pavilion is proud to announce a new beehive management agreement with Denver farm-to-table restaurant group, Edible Beats. Starting this month, Butterfly Pavilion staff entomologists will begin managing a beehive at the restaurant group’s 4,000 square foot urban garden in the heart of Denver to provide local, raw honey in its five Denver restaurants.

“We are thrilled to partner with The Butterfly Pavilion and bring not only exposure to the importance of bees in our food system but to also serve our guests with local, clean, raw honey,” said Edible
Beats Director of Operations and Development, Megan Baldwin.

Since launching in late 2008, Edible Beats’ concept group has grown six-restaurants strong — Root Down, Linger, Root Down DIA, Ophelia’s, Vital Root, and El Five — and is known for responsibly grown and sourced, innovatively simple, vegetable-forward menus.

For the Butterfly Pavilion, managing the hive means staff entomologists will be installing the honeybee colony, checking on the health of the hive and size of the brood nest every seven-to-ten days. Butterfly Pavilion staff will also harvest the honey when ready and continuing check-ups to make sure the bees survive the winter.

Beehive management is just one more way the non-profit, invertebrate zoo is trying to increase awareness of the importance of pollinators and promote habitat and species conservation.

“We are grateful for this new partnership with Edible Beats, if just for pollinator awareness alone,” said Butterfly Pavilion vice president of Science and Conservation, Mary Ann Colley. “Bees are vital to human production of food sources and the reproduction of native plants. With a restaurant group like Edible Beats installing its own local hive, they will help protect these vital pollinators and promote their importance to a key audience – culinary enthusiasts!”

Beehive management and habitat garden landscape design make up professional services the experts at Butterfly Pavilion can provide for any home or business to create customized, thriving, and sustainable spaces and solutions. For more information, visit https://www.butterflies.local/butterfly-pavilion-professional-services/.

Pollinator Week, June 18-24, 2018
Another way Butterfly Pavilion is promoting the importance of bees is by celebrating National Pollinator Week now through June 24, 2018. As part of the Pollinator Awareness through Conservation and Education (PACE) initiative, Butterfly Pavilion hosts this week-long event with pollinator-focused learning, animal encounters and more!

This year’s celebration will also feature a new exhibit documenting the pollinating migration of the mighty Monarch Butterfly and an exclusive honey tasting event for adults, featuring world-renowned honey sommelier, Carla Marina Marchese. All Pollinator week activities are included in general admission, except for the honey tasting.

Butterfly Pavilion is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., at 6252 West 104th Ave., Westminster. Admission is $8/children (2-12), $12/adults (Westminster residents $10), $10/seniors and children under 2 are free. Learn more by visiting butterflies.local or by calling 303-469-5441.

About Edible Beats:
Edible Beats was born from a single idea: The creation of a vibrant neighborhood restaurant in Denver, starting in late 2008. In the span of 10 years, Edible Beats has grown into six thriving nationally recognized, award-winning restaurants known for thoughtful, vegetable- forward and sustainably-sourced menus.

All of the Edible Beats restaurants share a commonality: taking inspiration from the history and location of their original buildings and mixing in design elements from Owner Justin Cucci’s reclaimed and mid-mod collections, creating interior spaces like nothing guests have seen before.

Edible Beats is a collection of enticing ingredients—food based, groove-friendly, and guest driven. www.ediblebeats.com

About Butterfly Pavilion:
Founded in July 1995 and accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, Butterfly Pavilion is the world’s only stand-alone, AZA-accredited invertebrate zoo, occupying a 30,000-square foot facility on an 11-acre campus provided by the City of Westminster, Colorado. Butterfly Pavilion’s mission is to foster an appreciation of invertebrates by educating the public about the need to protect and care for threatened habitats globally, while conducting research for solutions in invertebrate conservation. Learn more at butterflies.local.

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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

Edible Beats Media Contact:
Sam Alviani, Sprocket Communications, sam@sprocketcommunications.com

Butterfly Pavilion Statement on Poisoned Boulder Bees

These pesticides are starting to be banned in other countries but remain legal in the United States. Boulder officials said that neonicotinoids are banned for use on city property, but local municipalities have no power to curtail their use on private property.

One of every three bites of food eaten worldwide depends on pollinators, like bees.

Rice’s® Honey, a leading producer of high quality, U.S. only raw and unfiltered honey, announces an exciting new partnership and commitment to PACE, “Pollinator Awareness Through Conservation and Education” – Butterfly Pavilion’s non-profit global initiative to restore habitats, strengthen populations and reintroduce pollinators into native habitats around the world. A portion of proceeds from every bottle sold of Rice’s Honey will be donated to the PACE initiative to promote and protect the prosperity of pollinators worldwide.

Rice’s Honey was founded almost 100 years ago, with a mission to produce, package and sell 100 percent pure, local United States only, raw and unfiltered honey. Nothing is ever added to this natural honey and all the nutrients remain in the bottle. Rice’s Honey is straight from the hive to the kitchen, offering high quality, raw and unfiltered honey at affordable prices across grocery retailers nationwide.

Rice’s Honey has a mission to help promote pollination and sustainable bee farms across the country. The Rice’s Honey partnership with PACE, the Butterfly Pavilion’s global initiative to increase awareness of pollinators through public engagement, education and restoration/conservation programs will help inform consumers about the importance of pollination. One of every three bites of food eaten worldwide depends on pollinators. Without them, there would be no fruits, nuts, vegetables, oils or most flowers and they contribute more than $24 billion to the United States economy.

Founded in July 1995 and accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, Butterfly Pavilion is the first stand-alone, non-profit invertebrate zoo in the nation. Butterfly Pavilion’s mission is to foster an appreciation of butterflies, bees, spiders and other invertebrates while educating the public about the need for conservation of threatened habitats in the tropics and around the world. The PACE initiative is a signature component of that mission.

“Here at the PACE initiative, we know that safeguarding our pollinators also safeguards humanity and we are grateful and delighted that, with the support of Rice’s Honey, we will be able to extend our message to a larger audience,” noted Butterfly Pavilion President and CEO Patrick Tennyson.

Throughout 2018, Rice’s Honey will implement a 360 campaign in cooperation with PACE, to be featured on all initiatives including a new label design, launch of a new website, digital advertising and social media. Award winning advertising agency, Johnson & Sekin, will oversee all aspects of the Rice’s Honey 2018 creative campaign to continue to elevate the health benefits of Rice’s local raw and unfiltered honey while supporting an important cause.

“Since Rice’s Honey was founded in 1924, we have always remained committed to providing natural, delicious U.S. only raw and unfiltered honey, while supporting local beekeepers,” noted Tony Landretti, Chief Executive Officer of Rice’s Honey. “Our local honey products are an artisan blend of honey from various floral sources, that come from regional beekeepers throughout the United States. We pack it in our Greeley, Colorado facility and then deliver to participating grocery stores throughout the United States.” Adds Landretti.

“Rice’s Honey now plans to step up our game by supporting PACE, to help promote the future of pollinators for generations to come” says Cale Nelson, Chief Commercial Officer.

Rice’s Honey works with local beekeepers to provide several local, raw and unfiltered honey varieties throughout various states and regions across the U.S. For a full list of products, and locations visit: http://riceshoney.com/pages/our-retailers

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About Rice’s Honey:
L.R. Rice founded Rice’s Honey, headquartered in Greeley, Colorado, in 1924. The company remains committed to its founder’s mission of becoming a leading producer of authentic, high quality, U.S. only raw and unfiltered honey. Rice’s Honey has generated brand equity through its commitment of producing premium, high quality, raw and unfiltered honey at affordable prices.

About the Butterfly Pavilion and PACE:
PACE is Butterfly Pavilion’s global initiative to increase awareness of pollinators and promote habitat and species conservation and restoration. Through a combination of conservation and education programs, PACE works to create a better world for pollinators thus making a better world for all of us. www.butterflies.local

Media Contact: Kristen Petitt Stewart for Butterfly Pavilion, kstewart@butterflies.org or 970-389-1561.

As a member of the Colorado Pollinator Network (CPN), Butterfly Pavilion is actively working to conserve, protect and create pollinator habitats

To that end, Butterfly Pavilion experts are participating in the second annual Pollinator Summit convened by the Colorado Pollinator Network on Nov. 2, 2017 at the Denver Botanic Gardens.

The day-long summit will bring together regionally recognized pollinator experts to present and discuss strategies for protecting and managing land to support pollinators in Colorado. This Summit is designed for organizations, agencies, businesses, professionals, educators, growers, land managers, researchers and volunteers actively working to conserve and protect pollinators and their habitats.

Butterfly Pavilion Horticulturist Amy Yarger will be presenting during the morning’s education panel, discussing the restoration of pollinator habitats as a community.

Keynote speakers for the summit include internationally renowned conservationist Scott Hoffman Black and Dr. Linda Scott Cummings. Scott Hoffman Black has been at the forefront of the pollinator conservation movement for two decades. He is executive director of the Xerces Society, which under his leadership has become the premier invertebrate conservation organization in North America. Dr. Linda Scott Cummings is President of PaleoResearch Institute, Inc., which she founded in 1972. She obtained both her Masters and Ph.D. from the University of Colorado after founding PRI, and an Honorary Fellow at the Center for Climatic Research at the University of Wisconsin, Madison.

Tickets for the Pollinator Summit are $35 which includes all programming and lunch. Register at Botanicgardens.org. The full Pollinator Summit Schedule is as follows:

• 8-8:20 a.m. Check-in and Networking
• 8:30-8:45 a.m. Welcome with Beth Conrey
• 8:45-9:45 a.m. First Keynote Speaker: Scott Hoffman Black – Bringing Back the Pollinators: An Integrated Landscape Approach to Pollinator Conservation
• 9:45-10:15 a.m. Cooperative Panel: Scott Hoffman Black, Mike Banovich, Senator Fenberg, Kira Mazzola – Pollinating at the Capital: Creating a statewide buzz for pollinators using low cost solutions
• 10:30 a.m.-12 p.m. Morning Panel Sessions
• 12-1 p.m. Lunch and Networking
• 1-2 p.m. Second Keynote Speaker: Linda Scott Cummings – World travelers without the passport: review of plant’s fingerprints
• 2:15-3:45 p.m. Afternoon Panel Sessions
• 3:45-4:15 p.m. Wrap up

For more information about the Butterfly Pavilion pollinator awareness, conservation and education program (PACE), visit butterflies.local/pace/.

About Butterfly Pavilion:
Founded in July 1995 and accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, Butterfly Pavilion is the first stand-alone, non-profit invertebrate zoo in the nation, occupying a 30,000-square foot facility situated on an 11-acre campus provided by the City of Westminster, Colorado. Butterfly Pavilion’s mission is to foster an appreciation of butterflies and other invertebrates while educating the public about the need for conservation of threatened habitats in the tropics and around the world. Learn more at www.butterflies.local.

Learn more about Butterfly Pavilion’s important education, research and conservation work at www.butterflies.local

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Media Contact: Russ Pecoraro, Vice President of Marketing and Communications, rpecoraro@butterflies.org or 720.375.9984