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There are many ways to introduce yourselves and your family to the wonders of nature. The Niagara Butterfly Conservatory is quite the naturalist's experience. As well, the education they provide regarding the plant and butterfly species they house proves to be quite invaluable.
This year round exhibit features a lush rainforest type environment. It is landscaped beautifully and filled to capacity with nectar producing blooms such as Passion flowers and Pentas. The conservatory is climate controlled and is quite warm and humid. A controlled mist is dispersed throughout the exhibit and gives the plants a healthy dewy appearance, which is great for photographs.
Upon entering the grounds, a well manicured pathway surrounded by colorful gardens leads you to the conservatory. Once inside the building, you are greeted with a glimpse of true beauty. A wall of glass exhibits a manmade waterfall with swirls of color as free flying butterflies move about. Before entering the air locked doors of the exhibit, you are introduced to the world of butterflies with a short but informative video.
The conservatory houses approximately 2,000 butterflies spanning approximately 45 species. During a typical year, because of seasonal availability, approximately 100 different species are exhibited. An estimated 70% of their butterflies are obtained from special breeding farms, with the remaining bred in their own greenhouses. These breeding farms are located in tropical and semi tropical areas like Costa Rica, Philippines and Florida. The life span of a butterfly is incredibly short, and additions need to be made weekly. This is to done to ensure an appropriate size population for viewing.
Inside this 11,000 sq ft exhibit is an "emergence" window. This is where enthusiasts may observe chrysalides, and new butterflies taking flight. On your walk through the conservatory you will observe plates of ripe fruit and butterflies feeding on them. They cling to leaves, walls, flowers and even your clothes if you are lucky.
Biological control is appreciated and utilized in this environment. There are little birds known as "Eurasian Quails" which are responsible for clearing dead butterflies. The expired butterflies are a food source for these little scavengers. Minuscule wasps and beetles help to control parasitic pests, and the use of turtles and goldfish help to keep the insect population balanced. There are also a few Iguanas at home here, although they only provide an aesthetic value to the exhibit.
Outside the actual exhibit, they have an "exhibit hall", where you can observe live caterpillars. Unfortunately caterpillars are very susceptible to bacteria and viruses, so the actual breeding area is closed to visitors. The exhibit hall also offers visitors interactive quizzes and information on the life cycle of a butterfly.
Many of the exotic plants are labeled and every care is taken to ensure their health. Their health is vital to the conservatory, as a food source for the butterflies and iguanas. Not only is it food, but is essential to their lives as habitat. Without adequate food and habitat, the inhabitants would expire. These factors are important to tourism and education as the "hands on" experience is the key to the success of the conservatory.
Also on the premises is a gift shop and a cafe. In the gift shop exotic butterflies are available displayed in glass cases, as well as books on surrounding attractions. The cafe allows you to sip an old-fashioned milk shake and enjoy the landscaped gardens surrounding it.
Education is a crucial component of the Butterfly Conservatory. School visits can be arranged, where the focus would be butterflies and their ecological importance. The conservatory offers sessions that are age appropriate and to groups interested, a presentation about how the conservatory is kept running. In many of their presentations, they enhance the learning process with live specimens.
Butterflies are considered a major clue to the health of the environment. The loss of butterflies or their lack of health, is a signal to environmentalists that something is askew in nature. Obviously butterflies are beautiful to look at, but they are also important to many plants for pollination. As well, plants are major food stores for caterpillars who in turn become food for predators higher up the food chain.
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