Chasing Butterflies

The rainforest-like environment of the Niagara Parks Butterfly Conservatory provides an incredible learning space for student groups of all ages. Home to over 50 different butterfly species, the winding paths of the 11,000-square-foot structure offer amazing opportunities for students to wander and explore on their own as over 2,000 butterflies soar through the air around them. Touring the grounds is only scratching the surface of the learning opportunities available on-site at the conservatory!

Featured Programming
The Butterfly Conservatory functions in many ways as its own ecosystem of sorts; however, ecosystems that exist in nature are obviously much more complex. Better understanding the factors that contribute to a balanced ecosystem is a key piece in beginning to grasp how different plants and animals function in their life cycle, making Niagara Parks Butterfly Conservatory‘s ecosystems programming a popular choice for young students.

Students grade three and below can learn firsthand about the fascinating life cycle of a butterfly through interactive storyboards that illustrate their metamorphosis. They’ll also better understand the function and adaptation of each body part as they assist with assembling an oversized model.

The southern migration of the Monarch Butterfly is one of nature’s most amazing phenomena, with millions of the creatures migrating over 2,500 miles (4,000 kilometers) from Canada to Mexico each year. Students in grades four to eight will have the chance to learn about this amazing journey and specifically the dangers and challenges overcome by the butterflies in order to reach their final destination.

Always More To See!
The amazing thing about a living, breathing environment like the Niagara Parks Butterfly Conservatory is that there are always new things to see and do! Quite simply, with new inhabitants born every day, no two visits are ever the same. This extends to their programming as well, as they’re constantly looking to evolve educational programs and customize them to fit the needs of teachers.

Content and photo courtesy of Niagara Parks.