Adult Programs

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.

Ready to level up your pollinator gardening game? This 3-hour masterclass is an extension of our popular Pollinator Gardening Bootcamp, designed for those who want to take their skills to the next level and make a lasting impact on local ecosystems.

Join Butterfly Pavilion’s expert team for an immersive deep dive into advanced pollinator gardening. Engage in expert-led discussions and hands-on activities that delve into plant-pollinator dynamics, habitat optimization, and cutting-edge gardening techniques. Collaborate with other passionate gardeners, receive personalized guidance, and refine your skills in planning, designing, and maintaining diverse, thriving pollinator-friendly landscapes.

This program is perfect for seasoned gardeners ready to create sustainable habitats that support our vital pollinators year after year!

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.

Connect with your baby and embrace serenity in Butterfly Pavilion’s lush Wings of the Tropics indoor rainforest. This gentle, hour-long yoga session is perfect for all stages of pregnancy. Moms-to-be will spend the evening relaxing, stretching, and strengthening while surrounded by the soft beating of a thousand butterfly wings.

More information:

-Bring your own mat and water bottle and plan to wear layers, as temperature may vary.

-Rainforest temperature varies between 65 and 85 degrees.

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

-Pre-registration is required until further notice.

Please register online using the link below.

No yard? No Problem! Everyone has the potential to cultivate and relish a stunning garden, while even the smallest outdoor spaces can become havens for pollinators!! Meet some small-space plant powerhouses, learn about providing pollinator food and shelter in container gardens, and get inspired to make big changes in little areas.

Choose relaxation and renewal with an evening of Sound Bath Yoga in Butterfly Pavilion’s Wings of the Tropics indoor rainforest. As you move through gentle poses, the harmonious sounds of singing bowls and butterfly wingbeats will envelop you and promote a deep mindfulness and connection to the natural world. This unique experience combines restorative yoga, sound bathing, and the beauty of butterflies!

More information:

-Bring your own mat and water bottle and plan to wear layers, as temperature may vary.

-Rainforest temperature varies between 65 and 85 degrees.

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

-Pre-registration is required until further notice. Please register online using the link below.

Are you terrified of spiders but strangely captivated by them? Or maybe you’re the "odd one" in your friend group because of your spider obsession? Either way, this class is for you!

Led by Dr. Paula Cushing, Senior Curator of Invertebrate Zoology with the Denver Museum of Nature & Science, you’ll discover:

-The evolutionary relationships between spiders and their closest relatives

- Insights into spider biology, behavior, and ecological importance

- Techniques to identify different spider families

- Certification to participate in the Colorado Spider Survey

As a seasoned expert, Dr. Cushing brings decades of research experience, having served as President of both the American Arachnological Society and the International Society of Arachnology. Her passion for spiders runs deep—she even gave her first public lecture on spiders while still in high school!

Don't miss this opportunity to learn from one of the world’s foremost arachnologists and transform your curiosity (or fear) into knowledge.

Schedule:

Tuesday, September 30, 2025: 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. at Butterfly Pavilion

Thursday, October 2, 2025: 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. at Butterfly Pavilion

Saturday, October 4, 2025: Collection Day from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. at Butterfly Pavilion (pack a lunch!)

Tuesday, October 7, 2025: 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. at Butterfly Pavilion

Thursday, October 9, 2025: 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. at Butterfly Pavilion

Tuesday, October 14, 2025: 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. at Denver Museum of Nature and Science (2001 Colorado Blvd., Denver)

If you've gotten your beehive through its first winter in Colorado, congratulations! You're about to have a second-year hive! With a second-year hive comes all new adventures in beekeeping, one of the most important of which is swarming. When a colony swarms, not only does a beekeeper lose their valuable, experienced queen, but other issues, such as a failure to produce a new queen or swarms moving into dangerous locations, can occur. It is in a beekeeper s best interest to learn how to artificially create a swarm by doing a split to prevent their bees from becoming a community nuisance. It is also beneficial for new beekeepers to learn about swarm behavior and how they can get themselves free bees by becoming a swarm catcher.

In this workshop, we'll learn all about swarms, including signs that a colony is going to swarm, how to prevent your hive from swarming, how to make more hives by making splits, and basic swarm catching techniques.

Learn to Mount Your Own Tarantula with The Terrorium Shop!

In this class, you'll master the art of tarantula pinning from start to finish. The session kicks off with a brief lecture exploring the anatomy, behaviors, and fascinating lifestyle of the tarantula. You’ll also discover how to create a relaxing chamber, including a quick and easy version using household items.

The second half of the class is hands-on, where you’ll pin your own specimen with expert guidance from The Terrorium Shop.

Each participant will receive:

- A fully relaxed tarantula

- A mini relaxing chamber

- A pinning board

- A set of professional entomology pins

Join us for this unique opportunity to learn a new skill and take home a beautifully mounted tarantula!

Get ready for a wildly entertaining dive into the curious, captivating, and downright wacky world of "bug sex!" Join Colorado Entomologist Dr. Mike Weissmann for a special Valentine's Week presentation that explores the fascinating and often bizarre mating rituals of insects and their close relatives.

[Please Note: This program contains mature content. Discretion is advised.]