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Little Miss Muffet may have been afraid, but you won’t be as you learn about spiders and other arachnids such as scorpions, camel spiders, daddy longlegs, and ticks. Review the evolutionary history of arachnids, the natural history and biology of the different groups, and the medical and economic importance of these animals. Live guests may drop by for an eight-legged howdy do!

Biography: Paula Cushing received her Ph.D. in 1995 from the University of Florida. In 1998, she began her position as Curator at the Denver Museum of Nature & Science. Her research focuses on the biodiversity, taxonomy, systematics, and evolutionary ecology of arachnids, particularly spiders and wind scorpions, or solifuges. She has published numerous scientific articles as well as popular articles about spiders and insects. She is also very active with the American Arachnological Society and the International Society of Arachnology and has served as President of both these scientific societies.

Syllabus:

Tuesday, October 1st

Introduction to Subphylum Chelicerata, Class Arachnida

· Pycnogonida and Xiphosura

· Palpigradi – micro-whip scorpions

· Opiliones – daddy longlegs or harvestmen

· Acarina – mites and ticks (begin, live guests)

Thursday, October 3rd

· Acarina – continued; microscope exercise

· Ricinulei – hooded tick-spiders

· Pseudoscorpiones -- pseudoscorpions

· Solifugae – camel spiders or wind scorpions

Tuesday, October 8th

· Solifugae – continued (sex video!)

· Scorpiones– scorpions (live guests)

· Schizomida – short-tailed whip-scorpions

Thursday, October 10th

· Amblypygi – tailless whip scorpions (live guest)

· Thelyphonida – vinegaroon or whip scorpion (live guest)

· Araneae – spiders (just a taste and live guests (but not a taste of live guests!)

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

Whether you’re a paparazzi or can’t figure out your camera or phone, join expert photographer Bob Krugmire for hands-on instruction that will teach you to maximize the potential of your camera! Leave with better skills, knowledge, and tons of fantastic close-up shots. Space is limited! Pre-registration and pre-payment are required.

Experience a rejuvenating yoga class in our tropical rainforest. Led by one of our rotating instructors, classes provide an amazing opportunity to transcend the hustle and bustle of daily life as you practice amongst the butterflies in our conservatory.

Due to this program being in high demand no refunds or date change requests can be made for this program. All tickets are final purchase.

Colorado Butterfly Monitoring Network is a community science project that is run by Butterfly Pavilion, that harnesses the power of volunteers to conserve Colorado butterflies.

This training session will prepare you to observe and record native butterflies, gathering essential data that has a positive impact on Colorado's invertebrates.

The butterfly monitor training is intended for volunteers looking to learn about butterfly identification and monitoring protocols for individual monitoring in a self-selected route.

Dates:

Saturday, April 20th

Location: John Martin State Park

Time: 1:00pm-4:00pm

Saturday, May 4th

Location: Butterfly Pavilion in Westminster, CO

Time: 10:00am-12:00pm

Sunday, May 5th

Location: East Boulder Community Center, Boulder.

Time: 10:00am-12:00pm

Friday, May 10th 

Location: Gardens on Spring Creek in Fort Collins, CO

Time: 10:00am-12:00pm

Saturday, May 25th

Location: Fountain Creek Nature Center

Time: 10:00am-12:00pm

5:30 - 7:30pm

Experience Family Science Nights at Butterfly Pavilion for the unbeatable price of $5 per person! At these events, you can explore our exhibits after hours and enjoy self guided activities at themed stations scattered through the exhibits! As a bonus, upon completing all activities, each family member earns a special sticker and enjoys a 10% discount in our gift shop! Make your family nights memorable with our affordable and educational after-hours experience! Registration required!

January: Metamorphosis

February: What do invertebrate families look like?

March: Women in STEM!

April: Biomimicry

May: Spring

June: Pollinators

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!

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!

Celebrate Mother's Day at Butterfly Pavilion by learning about the matriarchs of the invertebrate world! Moms are important, even for invertebrates. Invertebrates are not usually known as good moms, but some of the animal kingdom’s most devoted mothers are invertebrates. Invertebrate mothers display a wide range of fascinating behaviors that allow them to reproduce and raise their young. Join us as we celebrate nature’s mini mothers. Learn the evolutionary significance of parental investment and how it has allowed invertebrates to become so successful.

Your instructor: Arachnologist Jackie Billotte M.S

*This lecture is intended for audiences 18+ but can be suitable for ages 16+ with an adult in attendance*"

Moms are an important part of life, and they deserve some extra appreciation, and pollinators do too! Mother's Day at Butterfly Pavilion is full of fun activities! Together with your kids you can create beautiful artwork inspired by spring and the new life that comes with it, and plant seeds that will grow into native pollinator hubs this summer. Then, follow our staff on a guided promenade through our gardens full of flowers. The perfect way to spend the morning as a family!

What to expect:

• Paint flowers made from pinecones with local artist Dani Forsyth!
• Plant native flower seeds that you can take home and plant in your yard!
• Promenade through the gardens around Butterfly Pavilion to observe native pollinators!

Pricing:

• Non-members: $35/adult; $20/child
• Members: $30/adult; $18/child
• Children under 2 years old are free!
• All supplies included in price of program

Join acclaimed ecologist Doug Tallamy in a transformative webinar on his book ""Nature's Best Hope."" Recent headlines highlight alarming declines in global insect populations and three billion fewer birds in North America, signaling a need for a shift in our landscape designs. Tallamy offers hope by emphasizing that these losses are not inevitable. Discover the power of selecting the right plants to address the biodiversity and climate crises. Tallamy will outline simple steps we can take to reverse decline and shift our relationship with nature. Register now for a sustainable and biodiverse future.

Doug Tallamy is the T. A. Baker Professor of Agriculture in the Department of Entomology and Wildlife Ecology at the University of Delaware, where he has authored 112 research publications and has taught insect related courses for 43 years. Chief among his research goals is to better understand the many ways insects interact with plants and how such interactions determine the diversity of animal communities. His books include Bringing Nature Home, The Living Landscape, co-authored with Rick Darke, Nature's Best Hope, a New York Times Best Seller, The Nature of Oaks, winner of the American Horticultural Society’s 2022 book award. In 2021 he cofounded Homegrown National Park with Michelle Alfandari (HomegrownNationalPark.org). His awards include recognition from The Garden Writer’s Association, Audubon, The National Wildlife Federation, Allegheny College, Ecoforesters, The Garden Club of America and The American Horticultural Association.

Join us for an exclusive evening dedicated to our valued members! Delve into the wonders of life's beginnings at our upcoming Origins Member Night event on Thursday, May 2nd. 

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.

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.

Butterfly Pavilion membership is your all-access pass to discovery! Individual membership includes:

• Unlimited admission and benefits for one adult
• Two one-time use guest passes
• $2 off guest admission

Butterfly Pavilion membership is your all-access pass to discovery! Just for Two membership includes:

• Unlimited admission and benefits for one adult and one guest
• Two one-time use guest passes
• $2 off guest admission

Butterfly Pavilion membership is your all-access pass to discovery! Family membership includes:

• Unlimited admission and benefits for two adults and four children (add a caregiver for $15)
• Three one-time use guest passes
• $2 off guest admission

Butterfly Pavilion membership is your all-access pass to discovery! Friends and Family membership includes:

• Unlimited admission and benefits for two adults and six children plus two guests
• Three one-time use guest passes
• 50% off guest admission

Butterfly Pavilion membership helps support our research, conservation and education efforts.

Pollinator Protector membership includes:

• Unlimited admission and benefits for four adults and six children plus two guests
• Four one-time use guest passes
• 50% off guest admission

Two favorite cultural attractions have teamed up to offer you two great membership packages at one low price!

Combo membership includes:

• Unlimited admission and benefits for two named adults and six named children (add an unnamed adult for $36)
• Two one-time use guest passes
• $2 off guest admission

Gift the gift of science learning, invertebrate exploration and year-round entertainment that will engage and inspire!

Individual membership includes:

• Unlimited admission and benefits for one adult
• Two one-time use guest passes
• $2 off general admission for additional guests each visit

About gift memberships: Fill out the online membership form with your recipient's information. Gift memberships are processed within 1 to 5 business days. Recipients do not receive an email confirmation. Gift memberships are sent via First Class mail to the address specified on the form. We do not guarantee delivery or arrival by a specific date. Gift memberships are activated in our system at the date of purchase and expire at the end of the month one year from the date of purchase.