Conservation:
As protection of our environment approaches a “tipping point” -- and conservation has become not just desirable, but essential -- biologists have come to focus more and more on the role of invertebrates. Not only do invertebrates comprise 97% of the animal life on our planet, they are also essential to the lives of the other 3%. Through the education of over 250,000 visitors annually, and through its unique hands-on, immersion programs, the Pavilion is unmatched in the Rocky Mountain region, and perhaps the U.S., in its ability to help visitors appreciate the importance of invertebrates and their habitats.Why have we focused on butterflies? Not only are they beautiful, they are also wonderful ambassadors – to the complex life cycles that they share with most other insects, and to the important and endangered habitats they inhabit. And butterflies are just the beginning of our exhibits. The “Crawl-A-See-Em” features over 35 different species of arthropods, including tarantulas, leaf insects, scorpions, beetles, and many more. “The Water’s Edge,” a marine invertebrate display, includes a “touch tank,” where visitors can touch live sea stars, horseshoe crabs and other aquatic invertebrates from the Atlantic and Pacific oceans.
We also play several other roles in conservation. Since 1995, the Butterfly Pavilion has challenged the destruction of tropical forests by developing relationships with butterfly farmers throughout the world. In 2008 we purchased $80,000 worth of butterfly chrysalises, providing butterfly farmers in ten countries a sustainable and productive source of income. The Pavilion also maintains a nature trail and extensive outdoor gardens to bring together the plants, people, and wildlife of our region, and participates in research on the health of local invertebrates.
Education:
The Pavilion’s education department teaches over 60,000 students a year, through an array of engaging and interactive onsite classes, workshops, camps, and outreach programs. The programs are “multi-layered” to reach students of all ages and language abilities. The school-age programs are based on the Colorado State Model Content Standards for the Life Sciences (K- 12), and are also interdisciplinary, introducing geography, social science and literacy into each classroom presentation and providing hands-on, immersion-oriented learning that stimulates creativity and imagination.The education programs are also supported by special events, such as the Pavilion-wide "Insectival" carnival, the "Bug-a-Rhythm" musical program, and the "Bug A Boo" Halloween festivities -- all of which put invertebrate learning into new and fun contexts for kids. Finally, exhibits such as the new "Tropical Odyssey" – which takes visitors on an interactive journey through a rain forest – allow visitors of all ages and language backgrounds to enjoy a variety of learning experiences.
Sound Management:
The Butterfly Pavilion has maintained a solid and diversified support base, including admissions, store revenues, SCFD funding, program fees, memberships, and donations. We have operated since 1998 without a deficit.Click to Print This Page
