Adult Programs

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

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*"

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.

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.