Conservation Projects

From the prairies of Colorado to the rainforests of Costa Rica, Butterfly Pavilion leads hands-on conservation projects that protect invertebrates and the ecosystems they sustain. Explore our work across the globe and in our own backyard.

Colorado Projects Fireflies

Firefly Lifecycle Project

Studying the lifecycle and breeding ecology of Colorado firefly species to support population recovery and conservation efforts.

Colorado Projects Dragonflies & Damselflies

Dragonfly Rearing & Conservation

Rearing and reintroducing native dragonfly species to restore populations in Colorado's aquatic habitats.

Colorado Projects Spiders & Arachnids

Tarantula Ecology Project

Researching the ecology, migration patterns, and population dynamics of Colorado's native tarantula species.

Community Science All Invertebrates

BioBlitzes

Community-driven species surveys that bring scientists and volunteers together to document local invertebrate biodiversity.

Colorado Projects Bees

Urban Prairies Project

Restoring native prairie habitat in urban areas to support pollinator populations and increase ecosystem resilience.

Protecting Pollinators Butterflies & Moths

Colorado Butterfly Monitoring Network

A statewide citizen science network tracking butterfly populations to inform pollinator conservation strategies.

Community Science Fireflies

Colorado Firefly Watch

Engaging community volunteers to track firefly sightings and map populations across Colorado for conservation research.

Zoo Conservation Butterflies & Moths

Butterfly Quest

An interactive research program inviting visitors to contribute behavioral observations of butterfly species in our conservatory.

Colorado Projects All Invertebrates

Invertebrate Surveys (BLM Partnership)

Partnering with the Bureau of Land Management to survey invertebrate diversity on public lands for informed land management decisions.

Global Projects Bees

Bee Fence Project (Tanzania)

Installing beehive fences in Tanzania to reduce human-elephant conflict while supporting bee populations and local livelihoods.

Global Projects Butterflies & Moths

Mongolia Butterfly Conservation

Conducting field research on butterfly species diversity in Mongolia's steppe ecosystems to establish baseline conservation data.

Global Projects Bees

Stingless Bee Conservation (Ecuador)

Researching and promoting sustainable meliponiculture practices in Ecuador to protect native stingless bee species.

Global Projects Butterflies & Moths

Monarch Conservation (AZA SAFE)

Contributing to the AZA SAFE monarch butterfly program through research, habitat creation, and public education initiatives.

Zoo Conservation Spiders & Arachnids

Tarantula Breeding and Rearing

Maintaining sustainable captive tarantula populations through managed breeding programs and husbandry research.

Zoo Conservation Other Invertebrates

Florida Reef Tract Rescue Project

Housing and caring for rescued coral species from Florida's reef tract to preserve genetic diversity during the stony coral tissue loss disease crisis.

Zoo Conservation Butterflies & Moths

Butterfly Conservatory Longevity Study

Studying butterfly lifespan and welfare in conservatory settings to improve care standards across zoological institutions.

Protecting Pollinators Bees

Pollinator Awareness through Conservation & Education (PACE)

A comprehensive program combining pollinator conservation research with community education to advance pollinator health awareness.

Community Science Volunteers

Conservation is in your hands. Join Butterfly Pavilion's Community Science projects and help monitor butterflies, restore urban prairies, and protect the tiny giants that support Colorado's ecosystems. Whether you're exploring the outdoors solo or with friends and family, you'll be part of a fun, hands-on effort that directly contributes to real scientific research and local conservation.

Community science depends on people like you. By volunteering, you'll help collect valuable data, restore habitats, and support wildlife across Colorado—all while connecting with nature and your community. With a variety of projects to choose from, you can find an experience that matches your interests, whether that's getting your hands dirty in the field or observing species along local trails.

Check out some of our partner programs to learn more and engage in more projects!

Monarch Watch

A volunteer-powered program focused on tracking the fall migration of monarch butterflies. Based at the University of Kansas, this initiative supports education, conservation, and research around monarchs and their habitats—helping scientists better understand one of nature’s most iconic migrations.

Journey North

A crowdsourced community science program that engages people across North America in tracking wildlife migration and seasonal changes. By contributing observations, participants help build scientific understanding, promote environmental awareness, and deepen connections to the natural world.

Monarch Larva Monitoring Project (MLMP)

A long-running research effort involving volunteers across the U.S. and Canada since 1997. Participants collect data on monarch larvae and milkweed habitats, helping scientists monitor population trends and better understand breeding patterns across North America.

Western Firefly Project

Originally launched in Utah, this growing project collects and maps firefly sightings across western states, including Colorado. In partnership with Butterfly Pavilion, community scientists help track firefly populations and expand knowledge of these lesser-known, light-emitting insects.

Pollinator District Consultation Services

Butterfly Pavilion provides consulting services to help organizations create and enhance habitats for pollinators. With pollinator populations declining due to habitat loss, pollution, and disease, their Pollinator District model supports communities in integrating conservation into development and daily operations—engaging people who live, work, and gather in these spaces to connect with and protect these essential species.

Their team offers end-to-end support, from initial planning through long-term maintenance and certification. Services include community education, habitat design and installation, restoration, training, and collaboration with landscape professionals—delivering customized solutions that demonstrate a clear commitment to pollinator conservation.

Support Our Projects

Your contribution funds critical conservation work — from restoring Colorado prairies to protecting monarch migration routes across the Americas. Help us make a difference.