By Shaunna Mooney

Botanical gardens around the world are enchanting places that offer so much beauty and value to their communities. Supporting our local Botanical Gardens ensures opportunities to further our mission of connecting people to plants through beautiful gardens and extraordinary experiences. It’s important now, more than ever, for people to have a place to connect with nature in a world so focused on technology and social media. Our Botanical Gardens provides accessible green spaces where people can experience the beauty and diversity of plant life and foster a sense of responsibility and empathy towards the environment.

Through programming, events, and exhibits, our Botanical Gardens is inspiring the next generation of plant enthusiasts and environmental stewards. With so many important changes on the horizon, the Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens is Growing Beyond the Glass as we embark upon a once-in-a-generation expansion and renovation project.

In January, the Botanical Gardens opened a completely renovated greenhouse to unveil its new Tropical Orchard. This greenhouse has been completely taken down to the roots, and revitalized to feature a collection of tropical fruits and edible plants from around the world. Visitors can enjoy seeing fresh fruits grow, like pineapples, starfruits, bananas, guava, and so much more.

Last month, the Botanical Gardens opened up another completely renovated greenhouse which has been transformed into a Playspace for children and families. Here, children and their caretakers can explore, learn, and discover the important connections between people, plants, and pollinators! Additions include new interactive learning elements, hands-on activities, and imaginative play stations focused on the importance of bees and other pollinators.

These two exciting renovations have perfectly teed up the recent announcement of this summer’s new Butterfly Experience. Visitors will have the opportunity to step into a beautiful tropical paradise where delicate butterflies flutter gracefully around them. The exhibit will feature over 2,000 live native butterflies from across the U.S., including monarchs, swallowtails, painted ladies, red admirals, mourning cloaks, and more. This awe-inspiring display of beauty and wonder will show butterflies emerging, flying, and feeding on nectar, fresh fruit, and live plants.

Between 200 to 250 sustainably sourced pupae will be introduced into the exhibit weekly, providing a rare chance for visitors to be surrounded by butterflies and observe the delicate transformation of these amazing creatures. The Butterfly Experience is designed to inspire wonder and appreciation for these creatures and their environments. It also serves as an educational opportunity for visitors of all ages, shedding light on the delicate life cycle of butterflies, their important role as pollinators, and the conservation efforts needed to protect their habitats.

Please consider making a donation to the Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens to ensure the success of this one-of-a-kind butterfly experience and to allow for further opportunities that support our mission at https://www.buffalogardens.com/donate.

Shaunna Mooney is the Marketing Manager at the Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens.