Ketambe Butterfly Project in Sumatra

Butterfly Pavilion, Wildlife Protection Solutions (WPS) and the Forum Konservasi Leuser (FKL) have collaborated to create the Ketambe Butterfly Project – a visionary effort to sell butterflies to protect Sumatra’s biodiversity while empowering local communities.
The majestic and ancient Leuser Ecosystem on the Indonesian island of Sumatra is recognized as one of the world’s richest and most diverse expanses of tropical rainforest. Home to 201 mammal species and 580 bird species, it is the last place on earth where Sumatran orangutans, rhinos, elephants and tigers coexist in the wild. In the last 25 years, over half of it has been lost, threatening the animal species that live there.

In 2019, Butterfly Pavilion launched the Ketambe Butterfly Project in the small city of Ketambe, Indonesia. More than ten years in the making, this project is moving to protect endangered species, protect Sumatra’s ecosystems, and support local culture. The Ketambe Butterfly Project is a local, sustainable butterfly farm creating jobs, providing butterflies for Association of Zoos & Aquariums-accredited zoos, conserving habitat in the Leuser Ecosystem, and protecting the endangered Sumatran Rhino. A portion of the proceeds from the sales of these butterflies goes directly to on-the-ground conservation, hiring FKL rangers to collect data on wildlife presence, assist wildlife surveys, dismantle snares, and protect the forest. Sales of the butterflies also provides zoos with the ability to create new exhibits by featuring native Sumatran butterfly species. These conservation ambassadors will spread their wings around the world while developing a new economic model of support.

With your support, we are on the front lines, protecting habitat and wildlife, while creating a sustainable local economy incentivizing conservation over exploitation. When you support the Ketambe Butterfly Project, you’re leading the fight against habitat degradation by putting more front-line protectors in the national forest and creating jobs and opportunities for the local communities.

In recent years, Butterfly Pavilion team members regularly visit the Ketambe Butterfly Farm to help maintain the farm and train employees, specifically in butterfly breeding and research. This ensures that the butterflies raised there are healthy and promotes overall welfare and sound science at the farm. Just this year, Shiran Hershcovich, Butterfly Pavilion’s Lepidopterist Manager was leaving the butterfly farm, and as she walked down the road saw one of the endangered orangutans. Orangutans spend most of their lives in trees to avoid predation, and their diet consists of invertebrates, fruit, and vegetation. Invertebrates pollinate most of the fruit and vegetation that orangutans use as shelter and sustenance. In turn, orangutans disperse the seeds of any vegetation they eat, which eventually grow to become food and shelter for invertebrates.

Butterflies from the farm in Ketambe are being reared for conservation so that endangered species can be restocked in the wild. Additionally, these butterflies are shipped to AZA–accredited zoos around the world, including right here at Wings of the Tropics! Butterfly Pavilion received the first shipment of chrysalises from the Ketambe butterfly farm in August of 2023. This continued collaboration will ensure the preservation of vibrant and essential invertebrate species.

The Ketambe Butterfly Project is using innovative methods to generate its own revenue, establishing a self-sustaining model for conservation. This fuels the triple bottom line of People, Planet, and Promise. Not only for the people and organizations supporting the project, but for the Sumatran communities experiencing the loss of biodiversity. Every butterfly we sell carries with it the hope of inspiring change in how we value the natural resources upon which we all depend. That hope rides on the wings spread around the world.

Historic Milestone: 100,000 Native Trees Planted to Safeguard the Monarch Migration

Butterfly Pavilion, in collaboration with the Government of Mexico and local community partners, has completed a historic reforestation project, Preservation of Critical Overwintering Habitat for the Migratory Monarch Butterfly in Central Mexico, to restore the wintering habitat of the migratory Monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus).

Between July and September 2025, 100,000 native Oyamel fir trees (Abies religiosa) were planted across 32 reforestation sites in Mexico’s Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve, one of the most critical ecosystems in North America. These new forests will serve as safe winter sanctuaries for millions of Monarchs that migrate up to 3,000 miles each year from Canada and the northern United States to central Mexico.

“Completing this reforestation marks a historic milestone for Monarch conservation,” said Shiran Hershcovich, Lepidopterist Senior Manager at Butterfly Pavilion. “This large-scale restoration has united communities, scientists, and governments across borders to protect one of nature’s most extraordinary migrations. Every tree planted represents a promise to the Monarchs and to future generations.”

Why This Project Matters

The Monarch migration is one of the world’s most remarkable natural phenomena and one of its most at risk. In the last three decades, Monarch populations have declined by nearly 80 percent due to habitat loss, deforestation, and climate change.

The Oyamel fir forests of central Mexico, which provide the cool, moist microclimate Monarchs need to survive the winter, have been reduced to less than five percent of their original range. In recent winters 2024–2025, Monarch colonies occupied only 0.9 hectares of forest, the second-lowest number ever recorded. Scientists estimate that at least six hectares of suitable habitat are required to sustain the species.

By planting 100,000 native trees in degraded areas, Butterfly Pavilion and its partners have begun rebuilding this essential forest canopy, strengthening local ecosystems, stabilizing the microclimate Monarchs depend on, and protecting biodiversity for generations to come.

The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service’s Proposed Ruling: Why It Matters More Than Ever

In December 2024, the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service announced a proposed rule to list the Monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus) as “threatened” under the Endangered Species Act. This decision underscores the urgency of ongoing, coordinated conservation efforts across North America.

If Monarch butterflies are officially designated as threatened, it would activate critical federal protections to help safeguard their survival. Large landowners and developers would be required to work with the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service before undertaking any activity that could significantly impact Monarch habitats. It would also become illegal to intentionally or negligently harm or kill Monarch butterflies or to import or export them without permits.

Certain allowances would remain, such as exceptions for agricultural practices like the removal of milkweed, the Monarch caterpillar’s primary food source, when necessary for farming operations. Even so, these proposed measures represent a vital step toward reversing population declines and ensuring that this iconic species has the chance to recover and thrive.

Butterfly Pavilion’s completion of its large-scale reforestation in Mexico’s Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve could not be timelier. By planting 100,000 native Oyamel fir trees across 32 sites, this project directly supports the same conservation goals outlined in the proposed federal ruling: restoring habitat, protecting migration corridors, and safeguarding pollinators that sustain ecosystems across borders.

Project Achievements

“Standing in these restored forests today, it is clear that our collective efforts matter,” said Hershcovich. “Each Oyamel fir we planted strengthens the delicate chain that keeps the Monarch migration alive. This work gives hope that with continued collaboration, this remarkable journey will endure.”

Education and Community Impact

This project is not only restoring habitat but also cultivating stewardship. In Mexico, 20 school-based pollinator gardens now serve as hands-on learning environments where students learn about Monarch biology, pollinator conservation, and sustainable forest management.

In the United States, Butterfly Pavilion invites families, schools, and community scientists to take action through the Monarch Magic Pledge, planting native milkweed and pollinator-friendly plants, and by joining the Colorado Butterfly Monitoring Network, which collects vital data to protect local species.

Global Collaboration in Action

This achievement demonstrates what is possible when conservation transcends borders. The project, Preservation of Critical Overwintering Habitat for the Migratory Monarch Butterfly in Central Mexico, was made possible through a grant from the Association of Zoos and Aquariums Conservation Grant Fund and realized through collaboration among government agencies, nonprofits, and community partners.

Partners

This collaboration embodies the mission of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums SAFE program, which unites accredited zoos and aquariums across North America to protect species through science, education, and community engagement.

The Importance of Monarchs

Monarch butterflies are far more than symbols of beauty. They are powerful pollinators that sustain ecosystems across North America. During their annual migration, they carry pollen between flowers, aiding plant reproduction and supporting countless other species that rely on those plants for food and shelter.

As sensitive indicators of environmental health, Monarchs reflect the broader challenges facing our planet, from climate change to habitat loss. Protecting their migration means protecting the balance of nature itself. Immediate and collaborative conservation action is essential to prevent the collapse of this extraordinary migration.

Cultural and Ecological Significance

The loss of the Monarch migration would not only be an ecological tragedy but a cultural one. For generations, the migration has symbolized endurance, renewal, and connection, values deeply rooted in the traditions of communities across North America, particularly in Mexico.

Each autumn, Monarch butterflies arrive in central Mexico around the beginning of November, coinciding with Día de los Muertos. In Mexican tradition, their arrival is seen as the return of the souls of departed loved ones, a reminder of the connection between life, memory, and the natural world.

Beyond their spiritual and symbolic importance, Monarchs also sustain local economies. Ecotourism centered around the Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve brings meaningful income to communities in the region, reinforcing the idea that protecting Monarchs also protects people, livelihoods, and cultural heritage.

What Comes Next

Butterfly Pavilion and partners will continue monitoring the newly planted forests to ensure healthy growth, support additional habitat restoration, and expand education and engagement programs that inspire long-term community stewardship.

The restored forests will stand as a living legacy of international cooperation and a testament to what is possible when people work together to protect the natural wonders that sustain life on Earth.

Get Involved

Join us in Mexico to see these amazing butterflies: Learn More

Butterfly Lifespan Study

Butterfly Pavilion monitors some of the butterflies in our conservatories to study the lifespans of species in our care.

How long do butterflies live? That’s a common question asked at Butterfly Pavilion! The answer is that the lifespan of a butterfly depends on many factors, such as their diet, environment, and species.

At Butterfly Pavilion, we are studying the lifespan of butterflies in both our Wings of the Tropics exhibit in Westminster and at the butterfly house at the Gardens on Spring Creek in Fort Collins.

Our Lepidopterist Manager leads staff and volunteers in tagging butterflies with small colored stickers with identifying numbers, then releasing them into the exhibits. As staff work in the exhibits, they record when they observe tagged butterflies, allowing us to track the lifespan of individual butterflies and estimate the average longevity of the different butterfly species in our care.

We’ve found some butterflies living over six months in our exhibits!

The data collected on butterfly behavior and longevity helps us improve our care and welfare practices in the conservatory, and make sure our butterflies are as happy and healthy as possible.

Butterfly Quest

Butterfly Pavilion’s Butterfly Quest is a unique opportunity to assist with Butterfly Pavilion’s Butterfly lifespan research, while exploring the world of animal behavior. Help observe tagged butterflies, record meaningful data, and share your discoveries — all on your phone. By participating in Butterfly Quest, you are helping our scientists shape animal welfare here and in zoos around the world!

Butterfly houses, like our Wings of The Tropics, offer a unique opportunity to understand and observe the lifespan of different butterfly species. We are always looking for new ways to improve animal care. To do this with our butterflies, we need to know how long they live and how they behave while under our care.

To collect this data, we tag some butterflies upon emergence from their chrysalides. We can then track individuals and truly understand how our butterflies spend their time in their home.

This is where YOU come in! Your contributions to Butterfly Quest help us expand our knowledge of butterflies.

Receive 10% discount on items in Butterfly Pavilion’s gift shop by completing a quest, submitting a form, and taking a survey!

Fun facts about Butterfly Quest

Guardians of the Steppe: Saving Mongolia’s Endangered Butterflies

Imagine a land where rolling hills meet sky, where ancient traditions blend with modern conservation efforts. This is Mongolia, home to some of the world’s most beautiful and endangered butterflies. Among them are the Parnassius butterflies, delicate creatures that have graced these steppes for millennia. But their future hangs in the balance.

The Challenge

Five species of Parnassius butterflies in Mongolia are now threatened and at risk of disappearing forever. The culprits? Overzealous hay harvesting, excessive grazing, climate change, and even the passionate but misguided efforts of collectors from across the globe. But there’s hope. And it starts with you.

Our Mission: Empowering the Next Generation

At Butterfly Pavilion, we believe the key to saving these incredible butterflies lies in the hearts and minds of Mongolia’s youth. That’s why we’ve launched an ambitious program turning students into community scientists, armed with cutting-edge technology and a burning passion for conservation.

Picture this: A young Mongolian girl, eyes wide with wonder, as she spots a rare Apollo butterfly fluttering nearby. With trembling fingers, she reaches for her smartphone, not to capture a fleeting Instagram moment, but to record vital data that could help save an entire species. This isn’t just a dream. It’s happening right now, thanks to supporters like you.

The Impact of Your Donation

Your generosity doesn’t just buy equipment or fund research trips. It ignites a spark in the next generation of environmental stewards. Here’s what your donation can achieve:

A Journey of Discovery

From the windswept plains of Uliastai to the pristine forests of Khentey, our team has traversed 11 sites across six provinces. We’ve braved harsh conditions, forged partnerships with local scientists, and witnessed moments of breathtaking beauty.

But the most inspiring sight of all? The faces of young Mongolians as they realize the power they hold to change the future.

Recent Triumphs

In 2024, we launched the Invertebrate Trunks program in Dadal, Mongolia, bringing hands-on conservation education to eager young minds.

From 2019 to 2024 our research has led to groundbreaking publications, shedding new light on Parnassian butterfly habitats.

We’ve built lasting partnerships with the Mongolian Academy of Sciences, universities, and local conservation groups, ensuring our work will have a lasting impact.

Timeline

In 2020, we published our second paper on the Parnassian butterfly habitat and partnered with the University of Colorado-Denver and Digital Global to analyze data critical to the conservation of these species.

In 2022, Butterfly Pavilion continued to support monitoring of Mongolia’s Parnassian butterflies and training of Mongolian conservationists to develop long-term sustainable research, conservation, and management policies for Mongolia. Our work ensures the long-term conservation of Mongolia’s Parnassius butterflies by training Mongolian conservationists and scientists in state-of-the-art research, conservation, and management techniques. Given their understanding of their nation’s resources, culture, and history, Mongolian specialists are the most qualified individuals for developing and implementing these long-term policies for their nation. Our work encompassed 11 sites in six provinces (Uliastai, Khovsgol, Tov, Ulaanbaatar, Khentey, and Dornod Provinces) across northern Mongolia. Our goal is to provide them with added improvement and success through our knowledge and expertise.

In the Summer of 2023, our team eagerly traveled to Mongolia to collaborate with local schools and communities on vital research and conservation efforts aimed at protecting the threatened Parnassius butterfly. Through educational outreach programs and hands-on fieldwork, we aimed to raise awareness about the importance of these beautiful species and their fragile habitat.

In 2024, the Invertebrate Trunks program was piloted in Dadal, Mongolia, aimed at protecting Mongolia’s endangered Parnassius butterflies through education in partnership with Nomadic Nature Conservation, the Mongolian Academy of Science, and local Mongolian educators and community members. The program was delivered through two core activities: Classification and Pollination.

The pilot involved 10 students ranging from 6th to 10th grade, along with two teachers. The Pollination Activity was highly successful in terms of student engagement and learning outcomes. Teachers found the activity rewarding, noting benefits in both personal growth and student impact.

Through this program, we aim to continue educating others on the importance of invertebrates and our ecosystems, the threats facing Parnassius butterflies, and the actions we can take to ensure their survival. It’s inspiring to see the next generation of environmental stewards in action, working to preserve Mongolia’s unique ecosystem and document local biodiversity. Their enthusiasm and dedication give hope for a sustainable future for Mongolia’s natural heritage.

Butterfly Pavilion continues to elevate our efforts with the Mongolian Academy of Sciences, Mongolian National University, Mongolian Conservation Coalition, Round River Conservation Studies, Nomadic Nature Conservation, local Mongolian educators and other potential partners to explore opportunities for expanding future work to include education, outreach, and conservation.

Join the Movement

The story of Mongolia’s butterflies is still being written. And you have the power to shape its ending. Will you stand with us as a guardian of the steppe? Will you help us ensure future generations can witness the delicate dance of Parnassius butterflies across Mongolia’s vast horizons?

Your donation, no matter the size, is a testament to hope. It’s a declaration that beauty matters, that being has value, and that together, we can create a world where nature thrives.

Donate now and become part of this incredible journey. Let’s write a future where the skies of Mongolia are filled with the flutter of countless butterfly wings, and where the children can grow up knowing the power of conservation. Together, we can turn the page on extinction and open a new chapter of hope for Mongolia’s butterflies.

Donate Now

The Urban Prairies Project (UPP) improves the ecological health of urban and suburban open spaces along the Front Range and beyond by connecting community members with habitat conservation for pollinators and other wildlife.

UPP recognizes the strong connection between healthy green spaces and human well-being, and works with municipal and community partners to make nature close to home healthier for all.

Over the last century, the shortgrass prairie ecosystem that once dominated Colorado’s Front Range has declined to less than one-fifth of its original area. Alongside this loss, we’ve seen significant declines in native plant and animal species, key ecosystem processes, and access to nature that supports human health.

The Urban Prairies Project provides opportunities to directly counteract these losses—whether through one-time volunteer projects near home or through deeper engagement as a trained Restoration Master Volunteer.

 

Restoration Master Volunteer Program

Restoration Master Volunteers (RMVs) complete a core training in restoration principles and techniques, native ecosystems, crew leadership, and community outreach.

After training, volunteers can choose how they want to get involved:

Volunteers are encouraged to participate in one—or all—of these opportunities based on their interests.

No experience is necessary. Everyone is welcome!

How to Get Involved

  1. Attend an Urban Prairies Project community event to get started.
  2. Become a Restoration Master Volunteer:
    • Submit a volunteer interest form
    • Attend a Restoration Master Volunteer training session
    • Join the RMV community and receive updates on projects, monitoring programs, and additional training opportunities
    • Participate in restoration projects, data collection, and community outreach

Training Information

Restoration Master Volunteer trainings are typically offered twice per year (Spring and Fall). Trainings include multiple sessions covering core restoration topics and hands-on learning.

For more information or to get involved, contact: awhite@butterflies.org

BioBlitz

A BioBlitz is a short, intense biological survey that aims to record as many species in a specific area as possible. Butterfly Pavilion researchers are experienced in surveying for invertebrates and we often work with partners to perform BioBlitzes around Colorado.

Invertebrate BioBlitzes usually consist of one day of intense fieldwork and weeks to months of specimen preservation and identification. Butterfly Pavilion experts lead these BioBlitzes then identify and analyze the invertebrates sampled so that we have an inventory of our native invertebrates and can monitor changes to these communities before and after restoration efforts.

Upcoming Bioblitz’s: 

Community Bioblitz at Kneebone Open Space – Sunday, June 14, 2026

From 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. we’ll use iNaturalist to identify the plants and animals of Kneebone Open Space. the data we collect from this event will be compiled and shared with city of lafayette to help assess the biodiversity at Kneebone and to inform future habitat management decisions on the space. UPP RMVs are also collecting monthly pollinator surveys at Kneebone to assess pollinator abundance and floral visitation. We are also on the lookout for invertebrate SWAP (state wildlife action plan) species! Register here. 

Colorado Butterfly Monitoring Network (CBMN) is a community science project led by Butterfly Pavilion that harnesses the power of volunteers to conserve Colorado butterflies.

Established in 2013, the Colorado Butterfly Monitoring Network (CBMN) is a long-term community science project led by Butterfly Pavilion that harnesses the power of volunteers to conserve Colorado butterflies.

Butterflies are not only beautiful, but they also play a vital role in the ecosystem, serving as both pollinators and as food for other animals. Knowing which butterflies are active in our state gives us important information about the health of our local ecosystems.

CBMN volunteers observe and record butterflies in open spaces and parks multiple times per season, gathering essential data that land managers can use when making conservation decisions. It’s a fantastic chance to get outdoors and learn about butterflies while having a positive impact on conservation in Colorado.

No experience is necessary to participate and all are welcome!

Click here to sign up and get started

Click here for current volunteer resources

Interested in Participating? Here’s How!

  1. Submit a Monitor Sign-Up Form and attend a training session before the start of the monitoring season (~2 hours).
  2. Receive a site assignment from CBMN or establish a new monitoring route near you (pending approval).
  3. Visit your site 3+ times between May and September, conducting a survey on each field day.
  4. Submit your field data online on PollardBase after concluding your monitoring sessions.

Click Here For Volunteer Resources

Training Locations