Butterfly Pavilion

Butterfly Pavilion. The Butterfly Pavilion is a popular zoo and insectarium located in Wheat Ridge, Colorado, United States, near Denver, Colorado. It is home to over 1,600 butterfly species, including the Monarch butterfly, Blue Morpho, and Gulf Fritillary, as well as other insects like bees, wasps, and ants. The pavilion is also a member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums and is accredited by the Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries.

Introduction

The Butterfly Pavilion is a unique attraction that offers visitors an opportunity to interact with and learn about butterflys and other insects from around the world, including species from South America, Africa, and Asia. The pavilion features a large, enclosed tropical garden with a warm and humid climate, similar to the Amazon rainforest or the Congo Basin, where visitors can walk among free-flying butterflys, including the Queen Alexandra's Birdwing and the Glasswinged Butterfly. The pavilion also offers a variety of educational programs and activities, including workshops, lectures, and tours, in partnership with organizations like the National Geographic Society and the World Wildlife Fund.

History

The Butterfly Pavilion was founded in 1995 by Mary Ann Hamilton, a butterfly enthusiast and conservationist, with the support of the City of Wheat Ridge and the Colorado Department of Agriculture. The pavilion was designed by architects from Denver, Colorado, and was built with the help of volunteers from the community, including students from the University of Colorado Boulder and the Colorado School of Mines. Over the years, the pavilion has undergone several expansions and renovations, including the addition of a new insectarium and a gift shop, with funding from organizations like the National Science Foundation and the Institute of Museum and Library Services.

Exhibits

The Butterfly Pavilion features a variety of exhibits, including the Tropical Garden, where visitors can see butterflys from around the world, including species from Central America, South America, and Australia. The pavilion also has a Honey Bee Hive exhibit, where visitors can learn about the importance of bees and other pollinators, like butterflys and hummingbirds, and see a live bee hive, similar to those found in apiarys. Other exhibits include the Crawl-A-See-Em exhibit, which features insects like tarantulas, scorpions, and stick insects, and the Water's Edge exhibit, which features aquatic animals like fish, turtles, and frogs, including species from the Amazon River and the Great Barrier Reef.

Conservation Efforts

The Butterfly Pavilion is involved in several conservation efforts, including the Monarch Butterfly Conservation Program, which aims to protect the Monarch butterfly and its habitat, and the Pollinator Conservation Program, which aims to protect pollinators like bees, butterflys, and hummingbirds, in partnership with organizations like the Xerces Society and the Pollinator Partnership. The pavilion also participates in the Species Survival Plan program, which is administered by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, and is involved in research projects, including studies on butterfly migration patterns, like the Monarch butterfly migration, and the impact of climate change on insect populations, with funding from organizations like the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the United States Geological Survey.

Visitor Information

The Butterfly Pavilion is open year-round, except for Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day, and offers a variety of activities and events, including guided tours, workshops, and lectures, in partnership with organizations like the Denver Zoo and the Colorado Museum of Natural History. Visitors can also purchase tickets online or at the door, and can take advantage of discounts and promotions, including memberships and group rates, similar to those offered by the San Diego Zoo and the National Zoo.

Architecture and Design

The Butterfly Pavilion was designed by architects from Denver, Colorado, and features a unique and innovative design, with a large, enclosed tropical garden and a variety of exhibits and displays, including the Tropical Garden and the Honey Bee Hive exhibit. The pavilion also features a gift shop, a cafe, and a picnic area, and offers wheelchair accessibility and stroller-friendly paths, similar to those found in parks and gardens like the New York Botanical Garden and the United States Botanic Garden. The pavilion's design and architecture have been recognized with several awards, including the American Institute of Architects Design Award and the United States Green Building Council LEED Certification, and have been featured in publications like Architectural Digest and Landscape Architecture Magazine. Category:Zoos in the United States