Key West Butterfly and Nature Conservatory

The Key West Butterfly and Nature Conservatory offers visitors a chance to experience a collection of butterflies that includes about 50 to 60 different species from around the world. Visitors can stroll through the natural environment, surrounded by butterflies of every color imaginable. The area is also filled with more than 20 exotic birds, flowering plants, trees and waterfalls. The entire area is glass enclosed and climate controlled. The Learning Center provides an opportunity to learn about the physiology, anatomy, lifecycle, migratory habits and feeding of the Monarch butterfly. There are also caterpillars feeding and developing on display. Visitors start with a 15 minute film that helps them understand the life cycle of the butterfly, as well as a variety of interesting facts. Exhibits on display at the Learning Center include a wall-size mural map that features butterflies identified by their country of origin. The Butterfly and Nature Conservatory houses butterflies that were supplied by butterfly farming operations. They are not wild-capture butterflies, but when there are excess crops, some are released into the wild. The conservatory hosts weddings for up to 20 guests and couples receive butterfly embossed champagne glasses. They can also request a butterfly release at the conclusion of the ceremony. The gift shop offers a variety of educational and decorative butterfly items.