17531-bfest-fb_4_fnlGAINESVILLE, Fla. — Florida Museum of Natural History visitors will have the opportunity to learn about the significant role butterflies have in nature during ButterflyFest on Saturday, Oct. 1.

The free event from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. features live butterfly releases, workshops and activities for all ages. This year’s theme, “Why Butterflies Matter,” highlights the ecological importance of butterflies, including serving as environmental indicators and the flagship species for conservation. The insects also are model organisms for many areas of biology research.

“Butterflies are important biological indicators of a healthy environment and ecosystem,” said Jaret Daniels, associate curator and director of the McGuire Center for Lepidoptera and Biodiversity. “These charismatic ‘gateway bugs’ also help stimulate interest in nature, increase science literacy and promote environmental stewardship.”

This is the 11th year the museum has hosted the event.

The Society for Creative Anachronism, an international group that researches and recreates the arts and skills of pre-17th-century Europe, will participate in this year’s program for the first time. The Gainesville chapter, called the Barony of An Crosaire, will discuss beekeeping in the Middle Ages and how butterflies inspired medieval artisans through illuminated manuscripts.

“ButterflyFest gives us a unique opportunity to share with visitors our love of history and the arts,” said Jennifer Katz, Barony of An Crosaire recruitment and retention officer. “We hope that guests will learn how humans have relied on pollinators like bees and butterflies for materials and inspiration for centuries.”

ButterflyFest includes a three-day plant sale from Sept. 30 to Oct. 2. One of the museum’s largest of the year, the sale features more than 150 species of pollinator-friendly plants.

The festival includes a children’s area, special photography workshops in the “Butterfly Rainforest” exhibit, food and merchandise vendors and a pollinator parade for costume-clad visitors.

“We’re very excited about our theme because we want people to think about why butterflies matter,” said Catherine Carey, Florida Museum public programs coordinator. “We hope that visitors will learn that, in addition to their ability to enrapture people, butterflies are important because they tell us about the environment we share with them.”

For those looking to capture the ideal butterfly image, the “Picture Perfect Photography Workshop” from 8 to 9:30 a.m. Oct. 1-2 allows participants to photograph inside the “Butterfly Rainforest” before it opens to the public with equipment not generally permitted inside the exhibit. Museum employees will be available to help stage photos with newly emerged butterflies, and pre-registration is required. The cost, which includes exhibit admission, is $25 for museum members and $30 for non-members. Participants must be at least 18 years old.

Other participating groups include the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Lubee Bat Conservancy, Plenty of Pit Bulls, Florida Department of Agriculture, the Florida Bluebird Society and multiple University of Florida organizations. The Southern Lepidopterists’ Society will also display live caterpillars for guests to touch.

ButterflyFest activities and presentations are free, but regular admission applies to the “Butterfly Rainforest” exhibit: $13 for adults ($11 Fla. residents, seniors and college students) and $6 for ages 3 to 17. Admission is free for museum members and UF students with a valid Gator 1 card.

Visitors may purchase admission, plants or other items from the museum gift shops with cash or debit/credit cards, but are encouraged to bring cash as there is no ATM available on-site and some vendors may not accept credit or debit cards.

For more information, visit www.floridamuseum.ufl.edu/butterflyfest or call 352-273-2064.

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Writer: Elizabeth Brown, 352-273-2034, ebrown@flmnh.ufl.edu
Source: Catherine Carey, 352-273-2064, ccarey@flmnh.ufl.edu
Media contact: Paul Ramey, 352-273-2054, pramey@flmnh.ufl.edu