Adult Programs

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.

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.

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.

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!

Get a rare, insider look at Butterfly Pavilion’s groundbreaking conservation work with stingless bees—essential pollinators of some of the world’s most biodiverse yet threatened ecosystems. These unique, stingless bees play a vital role in sustaining the Amazon Rainforest and Ecuadorian Cloud Forest, supporting countless species, including the critically endangered Andean bear. But deforestation and habitat loss are putting them at risk.

Join Target Species Manager Francisco Garcia Bulle Bueno, for an exclusive talk about this incredible conservation project. Gain firsthand insights into how Butterfly Pavilion is working with local communities to protect these vital pollinators through research, hive management, and pollination enhancement. Don’t miss this chance to be part of the story!

Bio: Francisco Garcia Bulle Bueno holds a B.S. in Biology from the National Autonomous University of Mexico and a Ph.D. in Entomology from the University of Sydney. His research focuses on bee breeding, husbandry, reproductive behavior, and management, with six published scientific papers.

Francisco has led science communication workshops for schools, universities, beekeepers, and senior adults, promoting insect conservation in urban environments. He also managed a stingless bee program in Sydney, propagating over 100 colonies annually. Before joining Butterfly Pavilion, he developed conservation projects in Oaxaca, Mexico, working with local communities to protect bees and biodiversity.

Please note that this event is for adults 21 years and older.

What’s included:

- One serving of beer or wine during the presentation.

Get an exclusive, insider’s look into the incredible world of venom, nature’s most effective chemical tool, with arachnologist Jackie Billotte. This fascinating talk will take you behind the scenes of venom’s evolution across spiders, snakes, insects, and other animals. Discover how these venoms have developed as powerful tools for survival, from hunting and defense to shaping ecosystems. You’ll learn how venom works, the diverse chemical compounds it contains, and how scientists are unlocking its potential for groundbreaking medical research and treatments.

As you sip your drink, be captivated by Jackie’s expert insights into the hidden wonders of the natural world. This is more than just a talk—it’s an opportunity to explore the mysteries behind nature’s most potent substances in a relaxed and engaging setting.

Your instructor: Arachnologist Jackie Billotte M.S

Please note that this event is for adults 21 years and older.

What’s included:

- One serving of beer or wine during the presentation

- Non-Alcoholic options available

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.

Join us for a special day dedicated to our senior community!

Enjoy a discounted admission rate and explore the wonders of invertebrates and pollinators through engaging activities designed just for you. 

  What to Expect: 

• Interactive Booths   Stop by throughout the day to meet fascinating invertebrates, chat with experts, and participate in hands-on demonstrations.
•   Pollinator WalksGuided garden walks will take place at set times (schedule TBD). Join a naturalist to explore the vital role of pollinators in our ecosystem. A finalized schedule will be provided closer to the event.
•   Mini Guest Lectures   Short talks from entomologists and conservation experts will be scheduled throughout the day (schedule TBD). These sessions are open to all guests and cover a range of intriguing topics.

General Admission Details:

This event is open to all visitors seniors will receive special pricing and exclusive activities, but Butterfly Pavilion remains open to the public. 

Activities like the guest lectures and guided walks will run on a posted schedule, so you can plan your visit around what interests you most. 

The full activity schedule will be announced closer to the event and shared with attendees. 

No need to register for individual activities just join in when they start! 

Whether you're a lifelong nature enthusiast or simply looking for a fun and relaxing day out, Senior Celebration Day is the perfect chance to connect with nature and our vibrant community.

If you have a group of 10 or more seniors please contact Megan Schulz (mschulz@butterflies.org) for group pricing.

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)

Enter the world of spiders this exclusive, adults-only after-hours tour led by Butterfly Pavilion entomologist Cori Brant. The curator of our Spiders Around the World exhibit, Cori will take you behind the scenes of the fascinating species on display and reveal the process behind designing these incredible exhibits.

This experience includes a private, after-dark tour of our free-hanging orb weaver exhibit, where you’ll witness these arachnid architects at work. With Cori as your guide, you’ll gain insider knowledge about the spiders’ behaviors, adaptations, and the critical roles they play in ecosystems across the globe.

Don’t miss this rare opportunity to explore the world of spiders with an expert—spaces are extremely limited!

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!