Butterfly Pavilion
Programs and results
What we aim to solve
Invertebrates make up 97% of all animals on our planet, but the vast majority of these species have never been studied. Invertebrates around the world are in a crisis, according to a growing number of long-term studies showing dramatic declines in invertebrate populations. Nature’s food web is being severely compromised from the bottom up. Science has the power to reverse this trend. Education is where it starts. Butterfly Pavilion is the only stand-alone invertebrate zoo in the world accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. We exist to provide critical awareness, education and conservation for our unsung heroes –invertebrates. Butterfly Pavilion serves as the local, national and international hub for invertebrate knowledge, connection, inspiration and action. By inclusively developing next and best practices, we will continue to lead, facilitate and collaborate on the finest invertebrate education, conservation and research; thereby uniting and motivating the protection
Our programs
What are the organization's current programs, how do they measure success, and who do the programs serve?
Invertebrate Zoo
Educational programs and visitation center provide educational awareness and appreciation of butterflies and other invertebrates in order to emphasize the need for conservation of threatened habitats worldwide.
Where we work
External reviews
Videos
Our results
How does this organization measure their results? It's a hard question but an important one.
Number of students showing interest in topics related to STEM
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Related Program
Invertebrate Zoo
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Increasing
Goals & Strategy
Learn about the organization's key goals, strategies, capabilities, and progress.
Charting impact
Four powerful questions that require reflection about what really matters - results.
What is the organization aiming to accomplish?
Butterfly Pavilion’s obligation is to provide global stewardship for these incredible invertebrate animals. We have three pillars in which our organization is based: experience, education and research.
Through hands-on experiences, we introduce animals of all shapes, sizes and characteristics to guests every day. This immerses guests in educational opportunities that naturally alleviate fear and misunderstanding, creating a relationship between humans and some of our planet’s most important living things. We also aim to grow the base of support for the world-class research we are conducting, and to bring to light the importance of protecting these animals for generations to come.
What are the organization's key strategies for making this happen?
Through experiential engagement, we spark guest interest and imagination with exciting, hands-on and immersive exhibits. Exhibits contain opportunities for guests to touch, smell and see both the animals and habitats in which they live in order to gain a new appreciation and understanding.
Our award-winning educational programming connects guests and students of all ages to the critical adaptations, characteristics and needs of various invertebrate animals. Since 1995, we have served millions and inspired a full generation in environmental conservation ethics and are now seeing measurable results and behavior changes as it relates to invertebrates and their survival.
Through our research, we advance the study and protection of invertebrates and their habitats around the world. We are on the cutting edge and are leading the zoological community in this focused effort. Invertebrate animals are incredible bio indicators and many have medicinal and nutritional qualities. We conduct research projects and work with communities across the globe to help us better understand and sustain invertebrate populations; such as the Species Survival Plan (SSP) for the Chilean Rose Haired Tarantula, to decrease animal procurement from the wild and pet trade activities; and the creation of butterfly farms, a sustainable business model to promote and engage local communities in ecological hot spots globally in habitat conservation efforts . Our research is a vital piece of the ecological conservation puzzle.
Engaging in strategic fundraising efforts and relationships also leads to the long-term success of this endeavor. We aspire to expand our entire effort through the building of a brand new, state-of-the-art facility, allowing Butterfly Pavilion to further our world-class invertebrate research and conservation efforts.
What are the organization's capabilities for doing this?
Butterfly Pavilion has grown tremendously since 1995 and now sees upwards of 350,000 guests each year. Our resident scientists and research and conservation projects are leading the charge around discoveries and solutions for invertebrate population decline and sustainability. Furthermore, our programs and exhibits are a messaging platform and bring a megaphone to these vital animals through education and guest experience so we can ensure they are protected for generations to come.
We are uniquely positioned as both a community resource and a global leader. We attract funding for all three of our pillars – experience, education and research – and now are seeking funding for a new building. As we have grown, we have found the need to expand.
What have they accomplished so far and what's next?
As the foremost Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) accredited invertebrate institution, and a top 10 cultural attraction in the Denver Metro region, Butterfly Pavilion is committed to leading communities in the understanding, appreciation, care, research, conservation and species restoration of invertebrates. Our goal is to achieve this through not only advocacy, education and research, but innovative partnerships and strategies.
For example, in 2017, Butterfly Pavilion launched a groundbreaking effort to conserve dragonflies. Dragonflies are important indicator species for water quality, vegetation change and habitat connectivity. However, they are critically understudied. Very little is known about their life cycle and the health of their populations. This lack of information is a direct threat to their survival. Butterfly Pavilion launched a project to assess the health of dragonfly populations in Boulder County parks and open space land funded by Boulder County Nature Association and Boulder County Parks and Open Space. Butterfly Pavilion scientists recorded, for the first time, the presence of a sensitive species of dragonfly, the Hudsonian Emerald, on open space land and identified its breeding habitat and the water quality necessary for its survival. Also in 2017, Butterfly Pavilion piloted a citizen science project in which volunteers monitored dragonflies at different altitudes and in different habitats, gathering essential data that land managers can use when making future conservation decisions.
Looking ahead, Butterfly Pavilion will build a brand new state of the art facility, which will be a destination and resource for global invertebrate education and research and conservation. We will create the first of its kind, Pollinator District, ushering in a new model for pollinator friendly habitat, community development and landscapes. We will set the standard for what future developments should look like, resulting in healthier habitat for plants, animals and humans alike. We will also share a campus with an Adams 12 K-12 STEM School and pioneer an unprecedented model for advancing public K-12 education and career and workforce readiness.
Regionally, Butterfly Pavilion is an established community asset and household name. As we move forward, we will grow our public relations and gain worldwide recognition as the go-to resource for invertebrate education, research and conservation.
Financials
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Operations
The people, governance practices, and partners that make the organization tick.
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Connect with nonprofit leaders
SubscribeBuild relationships with key people who manage and lead nonprofit organizations with GuideStar Pro. Try a low commitment monthly plan today.
- Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
- Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools
- Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations
Want to see how you can enhance your nonprofit research and unlock more insights? Learn More about GuideStar Pro.
Butterfly Pavilion
Board of directorsas of 02/26/2024
Courtney Loper
EQT Corporation
Term: 2023 - 2026
Nathalie Brochu
OnMont LLC
Term: 2024 - 2027
Kenneth Monfort
Monfort Companies
Garrett Baum
Urban Frontier
David DeMott
Westminster Appointee and Source Office and Technology
Courtney Loper
EQT Corporation
Rachel King
City and County of Broomfield
Randy Ahrens
Frontier Components
Christopher Lane
Davis Graham & Stubbs LLP
Patrick Quinn
Ondrish, Quinn & Associates
Jason Brinkley
The Law Offices of Snell & Wilmer
Mark Corbett
Great-West Lifeco
Nathalie Brochu
OnMont LLC
Phillip Cross
Taylor Morrison
Julia Heil
Chad Schneider
Strong Capital Markets
Tammy Stewart
Tammy's Soul Garden
Dave Weidner
Four Winds Interactive
Organizational demographics
Who works and leads organizations that serve our diverse communities? Candid partnered with CHANGE Philanthropy on this demographic section.
Leadership
The organization's leader identifies as:
Race & ethnicity
Gender identity
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No data
Disability
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