Monarch Magic Returns this November!
Butterfly Pavilion is thrilled to announce the return of our Monarch Magic celebration. Launching on November 8, this exhibition will feature the release of majestic monarch butterflies within our “Wings of the Tropics” butterfly conservatory, where they’ll live amongst the thousands of other butterflies we care for at our zoo.
Monarchs, known for their striking orange wings, are not just garden favorites but also vital pollinators worldwide. Monarchs are renowned for their astounding migratory journey, covering over 3,000 miles from the northern United States and Canada to the oyamel fir forests nestled in Mexico’s mountainous terrain. By championing native monarch populations, we help safeguard a critical pollinator species and conserve invaluable cultural legacies.
Monarch butterflies are one of over 200 butterfly species found in Colorado, however, their survival is under threat due to habitat destruction, pesticide use, climate change, and extreme weather events. Protecting monarchs is crucial, as they play a vital role in pollination and ecosystem health, serving as indicator species. Declines in monarch populations can signal broader environmental changes and potential issues in their habitats.
By supporting monarch populations, we not only keep an important pollinator population healthy but also help preserve unique cultural traditions. Every year, monarch butterflies arrive at their overwintering grounds in Central Mexico by November 1st, tying them deeply to cultural traditions in the region. The arrival of monarchs is seen as the return of the souls of beloved deceased friends and family, allowing for the celebration of life and remembrance.
What to Expect:
Butterfly Pavilion honors this cultural tradition through Monarch Magic by providing a unique, unforgettable, and enchanting experience for all. Guests will leave with a deeper knowledge of these incredible butterflies and a little more magic and wonder in their hearts.
Special Experiences November 8 – 30, 2024
Included with general admission
First Monarch Release: Monarch Magic launches with the first release of monarch butterflies and special guest remarks at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, November 8.
Community Altar: Dedicated altar, or Ofrenda, to honor Dia de los Muertos invites guests to leave notes in loving remembrance of their dearly departed.
Virtual Reality: A state-of-the-art VR station enables visitors to be transported to Mexico, offering a firsthand view of the magnificent monarch congregations in their natural habitat.
Migration Map: Interactive community mapping activity where you can enter information about where you’re from to share your family migration and see it come to life on screen.
Added Programs/Events:
Family Science Night– November 5
Movement and Mindfulness with Butterflies – November 7
Sip, Paint, and Celebrate: Dia de los Muertos Art Night– November 15
Magical Monarchs Fall Camp – November 25 to 27
Here are some ways you can help our native monarchs:
Visit Butterfly Pavilion during Monarch Magic, November 8 – 30, 2024.
Get a friend to join you—invite your friends and family to visit and experience monarchs; with more people we can have a bigger impact.
Plant a garden next spring—your garden doesn’t have to be big to be impactful so long as it has milkweed and native nectar plants. Monarchs need milkweed for their caterpillars and native nectar plants give them the food they need to migrate!
Donate to support Butterfly Pavilion’s 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. Conservation is in our hands.
Participate in community science- there are many projects that help scientists and researchers to learn more about monarchs and their life cycles so that we can better protect them in the future. Learn more here.
(Note: The monarchs released into our butterfly rainforest were bred under human care at a native butterfly farm specifically to educate and inspire our guests about these magnificent invertebrates. They are not wild butterflies and would not be able to complete the migration like their wild counterparts do. By showcasing monarchs in our conservatory, we are bringing awareness to their importance in the ecosystem and educating the public about how they can do their part to support monarch populations in the wild.)
Thank you to our Monarch Magic Community Partner: 
