Vertical Butterfly Garden Experiment

The Vertical Butterfly Garden Experiment (VBGE) allows every resident of our city to say

"YES!" to butterflies.

There was a time when butterflies were common in Miami. Sadly, this is no longer the case. The plants their young needed to eat and the nectar plants that sustained adults is mostly gone.

That habitat has been replaced with buildings, pavement and exotic plants that don't feed them. To butterflies, it must be a desert.

Many green-looking places at ground level have been poisoned by insecticides. These plants have become death traps.

It is little wonder that there are NO Miami Blue butterflies in Miami. It is endangered. The Atala is threatened. Every butterfly we see is a gift.

We can change that. We can invite them home.
Join the Vertical Butterfly Garden Experiment!

Adopt a butterfly-friendly plant for your balcony, window-box, roof-top, patio or yard. Most plants are free to you!

Our experts will recommend a menu of plants best-suited for your location. You choose which butterflies you want invite!

Our gardeners will give you tips on getting started. Our web-page will provide quick answers and forums when you want to know more.

This is a real Experiment.

Nobody knows exactly which butterflies will show up at which locations and altitudes. Each participant has the opportunity to discover new data, and share with others.

If you want to become a Citizen Scientist, start any time. Photograph the butterflies in stages from adult to egg to caterpillar to cocoon to adult. Upload your photos and observations to our website.

The data your share will be available for study by students and scientists. By providing it, you make science possible - and encouraging the study of butterflies.

The VBGE launches on 2/28/2009 at the Miami Museum of Science.
Community Crossroads Civic Summit, held at MDC's Wolfson Campus takes place on 4/4/2009, and the VBGE will be there, too!

Other events are coming soon.