Butterfly House |
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| The Butterfly House lets you walk among and interact with a variety of Wisconsin's native butterflies in their natural environment. Don't be surprised if you discover that a butterfly has landed on your arm or shoulder. Different species are prevalent at different times throughout the summer, so you'll want to return often to view the new arrivals and to experience the beauty and magic of butterflies. |
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The house is an outdoor, uncovered, screened enclosure that features different native and cultivated plants; some provide food for caterpillars while others provide nectar and energy for the adult butterflies. |
| The butterfly house at Beaver Creek Reserve is unique among the growing number of butterfly houses. The butterflies we collect and raise are from local, native butterfly populations of west-central Wisconsin, with no exotic species. This provides the rare opportunity for the public to learn first-hand about Wisconsin’s diverse butterfly populations, their biology and conservation. The season is short, but intense, and the species in the house change frequently, as our local butterfly population changes. Each year is different - species fluctuating with the cycles of the local butterfly populations. Many of the plants in the house are native to Wisconsin, or are common garden varieties. Come to the House to get ideas and information on varieties to plant in your own butterfly garden. Our short season ends by releasing all of the butterflies back into the wild. |
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Butterfly House History |
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| The concept of a butterfly house was a long-range dream for Beaver Creek Reserve. In 1999, the local chapter of Alpha Delta Kappa, an honorary sorority for women educators, helped Beaver Creek receive a grant from the bequest of Ernella S. Hunziker. This grant enabled Beaver Creek Reserve to purchase, erect and landscape the permanent seasonal outdoor structure, develop informational signs and train staff and volunteers. Now, the annual operating expenses are funded by the donations of visitors. | |
Butterfly House Hours
Admission Donations are appreciated to help maintain the butterfly house. |
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Want to know more about Wisconsin's butterflies?
Check out the Online Guide to Wisconsin's Butterflies & Moths
