Butterfly Farms

DETAILS:

• Location: 441 Saxony Road Encinitas, CA 92024

• Hours of Operation: (April thru November) Daily - 10AM to 4PM

• Parking: Free parking on site.

• Cost: $6 adults / $3 active military / Children 2 and under are free.

• Time Commitment: 30 minutes.

I don’t know about you, but I’m always struck with a sense of wonder whenever a butterfly happens to float across my path. In these chance encounters, it’s hard not to appreciate the delicate beauty of these winged creatures (even at the risk of losing my man-card). But living in the city, it’s unfortunately an opportunity few and far between. Thankfully, there are organizations like Butterfly Farms in Encinitas that strive to conserve, educate, and promote the importance of these etherial pollinators who (like the honey bee) play a vital role maintaining a healthy and striving ecosystem.

Butterfly Farms, a nonprofit organization, was founded in 2012 by Pat Flanagan and Tom Merriman; two horticulturalists who owned a nursery in Vista growing palms. Their initial intent was to build a butterfly display to help attract business and contacted the local Monarch Program to enquire about this venture. This would eventually lead to a relationship with Monarch Watch which saw them grow milkweed to help sustain the local monarch population, so much so, that they now grow more milkweed than anyone west of Kansas. Once the local Monarch Program shuttered, Flanagan and Merriman decided to open their own vivarium to continue the conservation efforts.

The 3,000 square-foot vivarium is the crown jewel of the property. Part greenhouse, part magical sanctuary, the vivarium is home to butterfly species like Monarchs, Cloudless Sulfurs, Cabage Whites, Painted Ladies, Gulf Fritilaries, and Anise Swallowtails which represent a small fraction of the some 150 species of butterflies that call the area home. In addition to the vivarium, Butterfly Farms also maintains a nursery to study the effect of various plants on butterfly biology, a laboratory that raises native butterflies, special events throughout the year, and 1-hour guided educational tours. Who knew you could learn so much by enjoying a tranquil day surrounded by butterflies. I could think of worse ways to spend an afternoon.

 

RESOURCES:

• Butterfly Farms website.