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Let Your Spirit SoarButterfly Conservatories around the World Offer Great EscapesBy Marilyn Loeser
At least that’s why I seek out butterfly attractions. Three I’ve recently visited are located in Niagara Falls, Ontario; Stratford-upon-Avon, England; and Kalamazoo, Michigan. Niagara Falls, Ontario
Guests are invited to use an audio tour to better understand butterflies, varying species and migrations. We watched the enchanting insects as we walked along a labyrinth of pathways among tropical plants and flowers. Everywhere the butterflies seemed to dance. Stratford-upon-Avon, EnglandIn the heart of Shakespeare country is the Stratford-upon-Avon Butterfly Farm.
Although smaller than the Canadian attraction, the set-up is similar. Waterfalls, winding paths through tropical plants and flowers and feeding stations offer guests a close-up view of every butterfly’s beauty.
The success of The Butterfly Farm has led to its involvement in the development of Butterfly World. Plans call for it to be the world’s biggest butterfly attraction. The site chosen for the project is located near St. Albans in Hertfordshire and will include more than 26-acres of natural wildlife habitat featuring a cathedral-like tropical dome. Guests also are invited to witness the butterfly's amazing lifecycle in the Caterpillar Room as well as visit Insect City and Arachnoland. Popular Insect City residents include leaf-cutter ants. Walking above guests’ heads, they go about their tireless mission to get leaves. Arachnoland offers a close-up look at several spiders and scorpions including the tiny Black Widow and Tarantulas. The Nature Center, Kalamazoo, MichiganThe Nature Center takes yet another approach to educating its guests to the wonders and beauty of butterflies.
The Nature Center is more than 1,100-acres and includes an arboretum, nature trails for hiking and cross-country skiing, and the DeLano pioneer homestead. Golf cart trail tours are available for people with limited mobility. For more information:The Niagara Falls Butterfly Conservatory: check the
websites www.niagaraparks.com or
www.niagarafallstourism.com. Kalamazoo Nature Center: check the websites www.naturecenter.org or www.kazoofun.com. |
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Major
tourist destinations and popular local garden attractions are likely places to
find butterfly conservatories. The dainty and colorful insects are fascinating
and fanciful to all ages. To be in such close proximity to the gentle beings
flitting among rainbows of colorful flowers and foliage is a chance to escape
into a fairy-like realm where troubles melt and the world stops for a little
while.
From
the roar of the great falls, I headed north along Niagara River Parkway toward
the Butterfly Conservatory, located at the 99-acre Niagara Parks Botanical
Gardens.
Wandering around the meticulously groomed gardens with its
fountains and ponds, among flowers of every color and description is enough
reason to make the short trip away from the main Niagara tourist area. But the stone building the butterflies call home is simply
enchanting.
In a tropical rainforest setting, my friend Karen and I
were immediately surrounded by butterflies in hues of blue, gold and red — their
wings outlined, dotted and striped. 
More
than 100,000 guests tour the facility annually, invited to wander through the
butterfly sanctuary. The largest of its kind in England, attendance doubled over
the past decade.
Instead
of an audio tour, information is posted along pathways to help guests learn
about butterflies.
Voted the number one nature center in the nation by other
nature centers, guests wanting to learn more about butterflies are invited on a
safari and led through the grounds in search of nature’s little rainbows.
Our
young tour guide began her narrative by explaining the different types of
butterflies. She then led us outside to the butterfly summer-house where native
and other butterflies reside.
Pointing
out their tiny eggs that will become caterpillars, cocoons and finally
butterflies, we wandered through the tent-like structure getting a close-up view
all the while being able to ask specific questions of our guide and the
butterfly house keeper.
From
here we were invited to the butterfly and hummingbird garden to view butterflies
and other native beauties among a glorious panorama of flowers.
