Butterfly Dreams

As you first walk into the exotic, butterfly aviary, you can pick up some nectar to attract them. I was surprised at how well this works, they were flying in from all directions. With over 1000 butterflies throughout the aviary you would be hard-pressed to count them all. They rest in the trees, fly up in the sunlight and swoop from flowers to feeding trays. You do have to keep a watch out, as they tend to be on the path as well.

The Butterfly Palace receives their chrysalis from specialized farms all over the world. Working with the butterfly farms creates a sustainable way of life for locals in the rainforests. With the rainforests being destroyed at such a rapid rate, these farms offer jobs and provide a reason to preserve the rainforests instead of destroying them.

Butterfly farms provide a protected environment for the butterflies to be raised in. Some are exported to exhibits, some are released into the wild and some are kept for breeding. Butterflies in the wild have a 7% chance for survival, while ones from the farm can be as high as 90%.

The lab on-site receives shipments of chrysalis several times a week, releasing them daily as they unfold their wings and are ready to take their first flight. At any given time there are 4060 different species in the aviary.

Throughout the day the team releases newly emerged butterflies into their new tropical world. Some guests get to participate in this exciting and special release.

Along with the Butterfly Exhibit, there are many other places to explore on site. The Living Rainforest Science Center has over 25 live reptiles and amphibians from the rainforest. There are interactive kiosks and critter encounters held throughout the day.

Onsite, in the Rainforest Theater there are short educational videos playing throughout the day. The videos are appropriate for even the youngest guests.

Another fun exhibit for the young explorers is the Emerald Forest Mirror Maze. Step into a world where everything is not exactly as it appears.

The Banyon Tree Adventure is a favorite of kids and adults alike. Explorers weave their way on a unique adventure with plenty of obstacles.

The Base Camp Gift Shop offers hand picked souvenirs and personal treasures. Many are hand made items from local vendor’s from the Ozarks.

If you visit in the next month or so, you will no - tice that there are some awesome new adventures coming. The Butterfly Palace is constantly looking for new ways to offer special interactive experiences.

After visiting the rainforests in Costa Rica recently, the team decided to bring to life the sights and sounds of traveling through the canopies. They are adding interactive murals along the walkways to the 2nd level. Using new technology, the murals will come to life as you climb the ramp to the exhibit. This will offer a glimpse into the forests where the butterflies are native.

The Butterfly Palace works diligently to preserve and conserve the rainforests. My hope is that everyone that visits understands that the facility is far more than a fun, educational place to see pretty butterflies. While they surely meet that description and more, they do so much behind the scenes to promote conservation of the forests and to provide a future for the people that inhabit them.

Please check the website for resident specials through February 2023 and other news and information.

The Butterfly Palace

4106 W. Hwy 76, Branson, MO 65616 417.332.2231

OPEN YEAR-ROUND

(closed Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day) www.thebutterflypalace.com