Butterfly House Exhibit & Pollinator Garden |
In 2023 we were only able to run the exhibit for 2 weeks in June. The limited schedule is due to a lack of funds given to support this exhibit. If you are interested in supporting this exhibit in the future please give below.
Walk among free-flying native butterflies ** and other pollinators in the Tenafly Nature Center Butterfly House & Pollinator Garden. See if a butterfly will land on you or just watch them fly around you as they move between nectar plants. Observe butterfly chrysalis in the chrysalis box. Maybe you will be lucky enough to see a butterfly emerge! The Butterfly House is a 12' x 24' structure and is located outside near our pollinator garden and visitors center. The butterfly house includes native species of LIVE butterflies and chrysalis and the plants that support them. Offering visitors a total immersion experience, as it introduces guests to the wonders of metamorphosis. This seasonal exhibit showcases several beautifully colored butterflies sipping nectar and taking flight, offering guests the opportunity to better understand and appreciate their life cycle and importance to the ecosystem. Guests can walk among the dozens of free-flying adult native butterflies and learn about their lifecycles, adaptations, and fun facts that make them truly special organisms. While visiting guests are welcome to chat with staff or volunteers, ask questions, or simply relax and enjoy the space while butterflies flit and fly about.
Both areas are great settings for personal nature photography. Please note that while the butterfly house is not open during the off-season. The pollinator garden is accessible year-round; however, plant life and inhabitants vary seasonally. |
Our pollinator garden is filled with host plants that naturally attract butterflies, bees, hummingbirds and along with a variety of other pollinators. You may even find a few ideas to try in your own garden!
Visitors are encouraged to show off pictures of their visit on social media using the #TNCButterfly #Tenaflynaturecenter
Interested in encouraging butterflies in your yard?
This document lists nectar and host plants for NJ butterflies and moths.
**Butterflies are less active when temperatures are cool (below 70 F) or if it is overcast and/or raining.
Are you interested in Supporting the Butterfly House?
Do you love being surrounded by the gentle flutter of colorful wings?
The annual cost for care and maintenance of this fun and educational exhibit is over $6,000 and TNC needs YOUR support to ensure this exhibit can continue in the future.
Please support pollinator education and help make this possible!
*Sponsorship Available! We at TNC strive to bring our community together while providing fun and educational elements. Each exhibit is unique and with your help, TNC can continue to build community traditions that connect people to nature while keeping costs affordable. Exhibit sponsorships range from in-kind to organizational sponsors. Please click the button above or reach out to development@TenaflyNC.org to learn more.
Please support pollinator education and help make this possible!
|
Butterfly Level |
Chrysalis Level |
Caterpillar Level |
Egg Level |
| Helps to obtain the chrysalis and adult butterflies for the exhibit | Purchases the native host plants | Provides the needed nectar sources |
Helps underwrite pollinator educational activities for visitors |
- If you have been a member or contributed to TNC in the past:
Your information is already in our membership database. All you need to do is log in (upper right hand corner) and you won't have to fill your contact information again. Once you are logged in you can fill out the donation form below.
- If this is your first contribution:
Just fill out the form below.