| Gainesville’s Butterfly Rainforest Is Full of Winged Delights |
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| September 03, 2009 |
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Florida’s climate makes a good home for butterflies, and these beautiful insects have a special home in Gainesville at the Butterfly Rainforest. This lovely spot is full of exotic, free-flying butterflies in a large enclosed area with winding paths.
Fall is the perfect time to visit. It’s balmy for humans and good for butterflies, which are most active in warm weather. On October 24 and 25, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., this attraction (actually a permanent exhibit of the Florida Museum of Natural History) is hosting Butterfly Fest.
At this event devoted to Lepidoptera and their fans, everyone can participate in fun and educational activities, including crafts and workshops on conservation and gardening. There’s even a field trip accompanied by researchers and (of course) a shop with butterfly-themed gifts and garden items.
Between 55 and 65 species are among the hundreds flying free in the conservatory. Some of them are new Floridians, too, coming from all parts of the world to share our sunshine.
The tropical and subtropical landscaping at Butterfly Rainforest is conducive to interactive experiences with these flying marvels, and on Saturdays and Sundays, butterflies are released at 2 p.m., 3 p.m. and 4 p.m.
Science is brought to life in films and displays, including the "Wall of Wings," which reaches nearly three stories high and 200 feet long, and contains thousands of images and actual Lepidoptera specimens, information panels, videos and maps.
And Butterfly Rainforest also houses the largest butterfly research facility in the world, the McGuire Center for Lepidoptera and Biodiversity. Visitors can get a close-up view of scientists at work in this 34,000 square foot facility.
Butterfly Rainforest is located at the Florida Museum of Natural History, University of Florida Cultural Plaza in Gainesville. |
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| A zebra longwing, the state butterfly of Florida, perches on a flower inside the Butterfly Rainforest. |
| Credit: Florida Museum photo by Jeff Gage |
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