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Join Butterfly Pavilion’s Senior Horticulture Director, Amy Yarger, for an unforgettable exploration of the darker side of the plant kingdom. As you stroll through our tropical butterfly conservatory, you’ll encounter the world’s most intriguing and roguish plants. Learn how carnivorous plants trap their prey, discover the deceptive strategies of orchids, and delve into the world of toxic plant compounds that can affect insects—and sometimes even humans!

About Amy Yarger: Amy Yarger has worked in public horticulture since 1996. She holds a bachelor’s degree in ecology and evolutionary biology from the University of California, Irvine, and studied plant-animal interactions at the University of Michigan. Amy leads Butterfly Pavilion’s pollinator habitat initiatives, including the Baseline Pollinator District, Manitou Springs Pollinator District, and the Urban Prairies Project, which focuses on restoring habitats in urban and suburban areas.

Date and Time: October 23rd, 2025, 6:00 to 7:00 p.m.

Fee: $25 per non-member $20 member.

Experience the Fluttering Hearts Escape at Butterfly Pavilion! Join certified massage therapist Siara Sweet from Sweet Wellness for a unique couples massage workshop amidst the enchanting tropical rainforest at Butterfly Pavilion. Immerse yourself in the delicate beauty of thousands of butterflies as Siara guides you and yourpartner through the art of massage. This special workshop goes beyond relaxation – you'll not only learn expert massage techniques but also engage in effective couples communication. Siara Sweet's expertise will ensure you leave with newfound skills to create moments of connection and relaxation at home. Amidst the fluttering wonders, she'll share fascinating information about the butterflies, adding a touch of magic to your unforgettable experience. Elevate your bond and revel in the joy of togetherness with the Fluttering Hearts Escape – a truly special couples massage adventure.

Your Therapist: Siara Sweet

Pricing (Per Couple):

$200 Non-Member

$180 Member

Get your tickets online & save! Admission at the door is $1 more than online.

Tickets only valid for the date selected.

Front Doors lock at 4:15 p.m.

Tickets must be reserved for children under 2.

Please see Visitor Information or FAQ page for more information.

Looking for the best time to visit Butterfly Pavilion? View our live occupancy tracker!

Homeschoolers and your families, these days are reserved especially for you! Take advantage of these exciting opportunities to explore our engaging exhibits and interact with thousands of invertebrates! Each Homeschool Day incorporates themed activities great for all ages. These include various invertebrate investigations, talks with real scientists, fun crafts, and more.

August: Ocean Odyssey

Dive deep under the waves and discover the incredible invertebrates that call our oceans home. Interactive classes, activities, and crafts will explore our important marine wildlife.

September: Buzzing About Bees

Discover the fascinating world of bees and their crucial role in our ecosystems during this special homeschool day. Participate in interactive classes and activities led by Butterfly Pavilion educators and learn all about these vital pollinators.

November: Career Crossroads: Critters, Conservation, and Causes

Explore various careers related to invertebrates, animal care, education, and nonprofits in our Career Exploration Day. Meet professionals, learn about their journeys, and discover exciting opportunities for your future path!

December: Living Lights

Discover the mesmerizing world of bioluminescent and biofluorescent invertebrates and their amazing ability to glow. This event will include engaging classes, hands-on crafts, and exciting activities that illuminate the science behind these radiant creatures.

BConnected Colorado is excited to co-host this guided meditation event with the Butterfly Pavilion! Immerse yourself in the serenity of Butterfly Pavilions beautiful space, surrounded by lush tropical plants, a flowing stream, and the gentle presence of live butterflies. In this meditation, we’ll focus on deepening our connection to our bodies, our community, and the earth.

BConnected Colorado is a social club dedicated to building an inclusive, welcoming community for bisexual and queer individuals. This meditation is designed to foster a sense of belonging and connection. Together, we'll explore grounding practices to align with the energy of nature, the support of our community, and the strength of our individual bodies.

Why Attend?

- Reconnect with yourself and the earth in a beautiful natural setting.

- Build a sense of community and belonging with other Bi/Queer individuals.

- Experience a moment of peace and healing during the busy holiday season.

More information:

- Allies are welcome!

- Rainforest temperature varies between 65 and 85 degrees.

- This class is intended for adults, but children over 13 may attend with a parent.

Fee: - $10 Member - $12 Non-Member

Welcome to Member Hour!

Members now have the opportunity to have Butterfly Pavilion all to themselves! During Member Hour, members can visit either one hour before or one hour after we are open to General Admission guests and groups.

Book ahead to reserve your space or show your membership card when you arrive - we look forward to seeing you there!

Please note that Butterfly Pavilion's Gift Shop will not be open for Member Hour

Create Your Own Preserved Mini World in an Exclusive Workshop!

Unleash your creativity and craft a one-of-a-kind miniature ecosystem in this hands-on class led by The Terrorium Shop—a Denver-based natural history store renowned for its expertise in natural preservation.

Design and assemble a stunning preserved display that captures the beauty of nature. From vibrant moss to delicate dried florals, every element is thoughtfully provided for you to build a unique, tiny world with your personal touch—a keepsake to cherish for years to come.

What’s Included:

- One 2"" x 3"" glass dome with cork base

- A large, preserved carpenter bee specimen

- Dried floral accents, crystal, and moss

Join us for an inspiring session that blends art, science, and natural beauty—no experience needed!

*This class is geared towards adults but is suitable for 16+ with a parent in attendance*

Join us on a transformative one-hour journey with ""Mindfulness Butterflies,"" a unique program designed to nurture your inner self and cultivate mindfulness while in nature. Each session will guide you through intentional breathing exercises, meditative visualizations, and a profound connection with your physical being.

Instructor: Siarra Sweet with Sweet Massage

Program highlights:

Explore Intentional Breathing: Learn to harness the power of your breath as we delve into intentional breathing exercises, grounding you in the rhythm of nature. Discover how the simple act of breathing can become a powerful tool for relaxation, stress reduction, and inner peace, aligning your spirit with the natural world.

Meditative Visualizations: Immerse yourself in the beauty of guided meditative visualizations that transport you to serene and tranquil natural settings. Experience the soothing embrace of nature's embrace as you let your mind wander through peaceful landscapes, fostering a deeper connection with the world around you.

Connect with Your Inner Self: In the fast-paced world we live in, it's easy to lose touch with ourselves and our connection to nature. ""Mindfulness with Butterflies"" provides a safe space to reconnect with your inner self while nurturing a profound connection with the natural world. This journey promotes self-awareness and self-compassion, anchoring you to the rhythms of nature.

Personal and Transformative: Every session is a unique opportunity to embark on a personal and transformative journey, guided by experienced facilitators who adapt each session to cater to your individual needs. Leave each session feeling refreshed, renewed, and inspired, with a heightened sense of harmony with both yourself and the world of nature.

This October, step into a world where invertebrates take center stage in an afternoon of suspenseful storytelling. You'll be drawn into chilling tales that explore the dark and mysterious ways these creatures interact with our lives. Prepare to be entertained, educated, and maybe even a little spooked as you enjoy themed teas and delectable treats.

What You’ll Experience:

Thrilling Stories: Experience gripping narratives that delve into mystery, murder, and scientific discovery, all centered around the strange and unexpected behavior of invertebrates.

Highlights include:

On the northern coast of Australia, where beauty meets danger, robust defenses protect against local predators. But when a mysterious killer starts bypassing these safeguards, scientists must race against time to save lives from an unseen threat.

In Southern California, a family of five is found brutally murdered, leaving detectives with few clues and countless dead ends. Desperate, they turn to an unlikely ally to track down the cunning murderer.

Tasty Teas and Treats: Savor a selection of teas and cookies that complement the eerie atmosphere.

Halloween Fun: Embrace the Halloween spirit by dressing up in your favorite costume and adding to the festive and spooky vibe.

Engaging Education: Learn fascinating facts about invertebrates in a way that’s both entertaining and enlightening.

Reserve your spot now for a night of suspense, learning, and Halloween-themed fun!

Please note: This program contains content that may be disturbing to some participants. Viewer discretion is advised.

Relish a quiet hour of morning light photography in the tropical rainforest before open our doors to the public. Snap photos of beautiful butterflies and exotic tropical flowers in the morning light. Sessions are offered monthly and begin at 8:00am.

Cost:  $10 for non-members, $8.00 for members. Note: This session is self-guided. Participants supply own equipment.

Flowers are more than fine, but which plants truly serve the needs of pollinators? Meet some plant powerhouses, how to choose the right ones for the right spaces, and how to get your hands on the best material.

What looks good to human and insect eyes? Design your own habitat garden! Explore principles of aesthetic design, tool use, and what a truly pollinator-friendly design should include.

What does it take to have a garden space that is truly pollinator-friendly? Explore techniques and approaches in encouraging your garden to thrive as it’s own mini-ecosystem, and reap the benefits of less money, time, and resources spent on your space. Learn the do’s and don’ts of clean up, the signs and symptoms of different visitors to your garden, and the magic in embracing a little bit of “mess”.

So you want a pollinator garden... but how do you make it a reality? Creating a healthy garden goes beyond pretty plant choices and where to place them. Learn the practical pieces of installation and habitat-friendly practices and approaches – explore planting techniques, soil health, irrigation and groundcover choices and more.

Why should we garden with the natural world in mind? Get a strong introduction to pollinators, their needs, their connections to planetary health, and how we can provide in the garden through our own choices and actions.

Get empowered and equipped to transform outdoor spaces into pollinator habitat havens with Butterfly Pavilion's Pollinator Gardening Bootcamp workshop series! Workshops include educational lectures, interactive participation, hands-on outdoor activities, and personalized instruction. Join other curious and passionate pollinator supporters and gardening enthusiasts through the planning, design, implementation, and upkeep involved in gardening for pollinators.

*To obtain your certification, you must complete the 5 classes and pass the comprehensive final exam (open-book, research encouraged) with a 70% or better. *

Cost:

Member Package Pricing: $140 for all classes

Non-member Package Pricing: $160 for all classes

2025 class dates:

Sunday, February 23: Pollinator Gardening 101 - 9:30am - 12:30pm

Sunday, March 30: Plants for Pollinators - 10:00am-1:00pm

Sunday, April27: Pollinator Garden Design - 10:00am-1:00pm

Sunday, May 18: Pollinator Garden Preparation and Planting - 10:00am-1:00pm

Sunday, July 27: Pollinator Garden Maintenance and Care - 10:00am-1:00pm

If you've always wanted to see more butterflies in your garden, have bigger harvests from your kitchen garden, or just make a positive difference for the planet, pollinator habitat gardening could be for you! This 90-minute interactive workshop will introduce you to the principles and practices of pollinator habitat gardening, from site assessment to design to maintenance. Learn about bees, butterflies, and other pollinators while also learning how simple changes to your landscape can add food, shelter, and other resources for these important animals.

Experience the beauty and diversity of the Butterfly Pavilion's outdoor gardens throughout the year with our exclusive seasonal garden tours led by Senior Director of Horticulture, Amy Yarger. Join us in spring, summer, and fall to explore the evolving landscapes of our habitat gardens, discovering the plants that support native butterflies, bees, and other pollinators at each stage of their life cycle. Amy will share insights on plant selection, garden design, and the unique challenges and successes of creating thriving pollinator habitats.

In winter, escape the cold with a special tropical plant tour in our lush, tropical butterfly room. Learn about the exotic plants that provide food and shelter for butterflies from around the world and discover the fascinating connections between tropical plants and pollinators.

Don't miss this opportunity to explore our gardens in every season and gain inspiration for your own pollinator-friendly garden!

- Winter Tropical Plant Tour: February 2, 2025, 8:00 to 9:00 a.m.

- Spring Tour: April 20, 2025, 1:00 to 2:00 p.m.

- Summer Tour: July 13, 2025, 9:00 to 10:00 a.m.

- Fall Tour: September 21, 2025, 1:00 to 2:00 p.m.

Join us for a fun and enlightening exploration of plants in pop culture—complete with a glass of wine or beer! From dream-inducing flower fields to crime-fighting vegetables and houseplants with beautiful baritone voices, plants play countless roles in film, poetry, music, and art. But how much of this storytelling is rooted in science? Dive into this interactive class with Butterfly Pavilion’s Horticulturist and Manager of Community Habitats, Ashley White, as we answer some of your most burning botanical questions: Can a willow actually whomp, or a tree really be giving? Do piranha plants exist, and should Mario be ingesting all those mushrooms? Uncover the scientific truths behind your favorite flora fables while enjoying a refreshing drink.

*This call is intended for adults but is suitable for 16+ with an adult in attendance*

Taught by The Terrorium Shop, Denver’s natural history store. In this class, you will learn everything you need to know to mount your very own scorpion specimen.

This class will start with a short lecture discussing the anatomy and lifestyle habits of the selected specimens. You will learn about relaxing chambers, the different types, and how to make a quick, easy relaxing chamber from household items. The last portion of the class will be hands-on pinning of your specimen.

Each person will receive one relaxed scorpion, a mini relaxing chamber, their own pinning board, and their own set of entomology pins. Please note the morphos do not have their thorax as they are removed due to grease of specimens.