phipps 001 (Photo credit: marshlight)
Pittsburgh, Pa. — On April 26, 2014, Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens will set hearts aflutter with the seasonal reopening of Butterfly Forest. A beloved family tradition, this enchanting annual exhibit designed for the delight of all ages offers intimate encounters with live monarchs, zebra longwings and more as they emerge from their chrysalides and take flight among the colorful tropical blooms in the public garden’s Stove Room — sometimes even stopping to land upon the luckiest guests.
With approximately 20,000 species on Earth and roughly 575 in the U.S. according to the North American Butterfly Association, butterflies are important pollinators that help to ensure the proliferation of life-supporting plants and global diversity. At Phipps, guests will have a chance to see these fragile insects up close as they cultivate a sense of wonder at the beauty and benefits the winged beauties bring to the planet.
Phipps is open daily from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. and until 10 p.m. on Fridays. The Butterfly Forest exhibit, running through Sept. 1, is included in the price of regular Conservatory admission, which costs $15 for adults, $14 for seniors and students, and $11 for children ages 2 – 18. Members and kids under 2 enter for free. Learn more at phipps.conservatory.org.
Bowties & Butterflies: April 24, 2014
At this springtime garden gala to celebrate the return of the butterflies and warmer weather, guests are invited to enjoy select wines and refreshing themed cocktails, delectable hors d’oeuvres and other choice foods, live performances, and a sneak peek at Summer Flower Show. Party-goers will also have the chance to see the new BETA (Biophilia Enhanced Through Art) exhibit spring to life at the Center for Sustainable Landscapes, where the works of both local and international artists will be on display. Tickets for the gala start at $125. RSVP required. Reservations can be made at phipps.conservatory.org.
About Phipps: Founded in 1893, Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens in Pittsburgh, Pa. is a green leader among public gardens with a mission to inspire and educate all with the beauty and importance of plants; to advance sustainability and promote human and environmental well-being through action and research; and to celebrate its historic glasshouse. Learn more: phipps.conservatory.org.
