GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Florida Museum of Natural History visitors will have the opportunity Sept. 19 to learn about “Connections to Nature,” the theme for this year’s 10th annual ButterflyFest.
Featuring live butterfly releases, workshops, entertainment and activities for all ages, the free event from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. will focus on healthy interactions with nature, including information on biodiversity and environmental conservation, management and sustainability.
One new activity this year features the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s launch of a butterfly component to its “Wings Over Florida” program. The new program, which previously focused solely on birding, includes six certificates awarded based on butterfly-watching achievement.
Florida Museum and FWC representatives will unveil the program during a brief ceremony at 1 p.m.
“We are extremely excited about the program,” said Jaret Daniels, associate curator and director of the McGuire Center for Lepidoptera and Biodiversity. “It’s a great incentive to get outdoors, reconnect with nature and improve your butterfly identification skills in the process.”
Following the unveiling, visitors may sign up for the program, start building their butterfly life list in the museum’s wildflower garden or adjacent natural area, and earn a basic level certificate.
“We want Florida’s residents and visitors to explore all the state has to offer, and looking for butterflies and native birds is a great way to do this,” said Jerrie Lindsey, director of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission office of public access and wildlife viewing services. “This event is a great way to join with our partners in promoting the program and its role in conservation.”
ButterflyFest also includes a three-day plant sale Sept. 18-20 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. This is one of the museum’s largest sales of the year with more than 150 species and 2,500 plants. The museum also is open extended hours Sunday Sept. 20, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
“ButterflyFest is always so much fun, it’s a great opportunity to show our influences on nature,” said Catherine Carey, Florida Museum public programs coordinator. “There is something for everyone from our plant sales to our workshops.”
The festival also includes a children’s area, a special photography workshop in the Butterfly Rainforest exhibit, food and merchandise vendors and a pollinator parade for visitors dressed in costume.
Other participating groups including the Alachua County Office of Waste Alternatives, Lubee Bat Conservancy, Southern Lepidopterists’ Society, University of Florida Wetlands Club and other museum and UF organizations.
For those looking to capture the ideal butterfly image, the “Picture Perfect Photography Workshop” from 8 to 9:30 a.m. Sept. 19-20 allows participants to photograph inside the “Butterfly Rainforest” before it opens to the public with equipment not generally permitted inside the exhibit. Museum employees also are available to help stage photos with newly emerged butterflies, and preregistration is required. The cost is $25 for museum members and $28 for non-members, and includes exhibit admission. Participants must be at least 18 years old.
ButterflyFest activities and presentations are free, but normal admission applies to the “Butterfly Rainforest” exhibit: $10.50 for adults ($9 Fla. residents, seniors and college students) and $6 for ages 3 to 17. Admission is free for museum members and UF students with a valid Gator 1 card. Visitors may purchase admission, plants or other items from the museum gift shops with cash or debit/credit cards, but are encouraged to bring cash as there is no ATM available on-site and some vendors may not accept credit or debit cards.
For more information, visit www.floridamuseum.ufl.edu/butterflyfest or call 352-273-2064.
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Source: Catherine Carey, ccarey@flmnh.ufl.edu, 352-273-2064
Media Contact: Paul Ramey, pramey@flmnh.ufl.edu, 352-273-2054