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Butterfly Conservatory Welcomes New Bird Migration Exhibit and Return of Majestic Monarchs Program

August 26, 2024

Niagara Parks

  • Patterns & Parallels: The Great Imperative to Survive, a new photography exhibit by Dr. Roberta Bondar to be hosted at the Butterfly Conservatory
  • Exhibit included with general admission and will run from August 31 to December 8
  • Popular Majestic Monarchs species preservation event returns on September 7 and 8
  • Free educational program provides information on how everyone can participate in the preservation of Monarch butterflies
  • Both activations will give visitors a deeper appreciation of the natural world and the challenges faced by at-risk species

Niagara Falls, ON – Niagara Parks is proud to announce the launch of a new exhibit by Dr. Roberta Bondar at the Butterfly Conservatory, Patterns & Parallels: The Great Imperative to Survive on Saturday, August 31 and the return of the Majestic Monarchs species preservation event on September 7 and 8, 2024.

Patterns & Parallels: The Great Imperative to Survive

Running from August 31, 2024, through to December 8, 2024, at the Niagara Parks Butterfly Conservatory, Patterns & Parallels: The Great Imperative to Survive, is a photography exhibit by Dr. Roberta Bondar. This exhibit offers a compelling look at the migratory patterns and challenges faced by at-risk bird species, including the Whooping Crane, Lesser Flamingo and Piping Plover. Created in collaboration with NASA, it features Bondar’s breathtaking images taken from the air and land and NASA’s images from space.

Bondar, the first female Canadian astronaut and an internationally recognized photographer, has travelled the world to capture the beauty of life on earth and uses her work to raise awareness for environmental conservation. With over three billion birds lost from Canada and the United States since 1970 due to the impacts of climate change across North America, the exhibit emphasizes the critical need to protect these species and the ecosystems they depend on.

The exhibit is also a key part of the Roberta Bondar Foundation’s Space For Birds Project,  which uses photography to create a visual narrative that helps us understand the biodiversity of nature and the impact of human actions and climate change on bird migration and habitat loss.

Patterns & Parallels was first launched at the Art Gallery of Algoma in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, Dr. Bondar’s hometown. It then travelled to Science North in Sudbury and the Lakeshore Grounds Interpretive Centre at Humber College in Toronto before arriving at the Niagara Parks Butterfly Conservatory, where it will remain on display until December 8, 2024. The exhibit will continue to other venues in Ontario before moving across Canada over the next two years.

Majestic Monarchs program returns to Niagara Parks

On September 7 and 8, 2024, the Butterfly Conservatory will host the Majestic Monarchs program, offering visitors a unique opportunity to witness the full life cycle of Monarch butterflies, from caterpillar to chrysalis to butterfly.

The program includes hourly demonstrations of Monarch tagging, followed by the release of these remarkable creatures into the Niagara Parks Botanical Gardens as they embark on their epic migration south toward Mexico. Live tagging and release demonstrations will take place every half hour, starting at 11:30 a.m. and running until 2 p.m. (while supplies last).

Monarch butterfly migration is vital to the survival of many ecosystems across the continent due to their role as pollinators. The tagging portion of the event is important because it enables researchers to monitor the Monarch population in the Niagara region, gather data on their migration patterns, understand how they are adapting to our environment and determine the actions needed to protect their habitats. Each butterfly tagged during the event can be tracked on Monarch Watch, a nonprofit program at the University of Kansas dedicated to monarch conservation, habitat, and migration research.

This free educational event will take place in front of the Butterfly Conservatory, within the grounds of the Niagara Parks Botanical Gardens and School of Horticulture.

Niagara Parks has a long-standing commitment to environmental preservation, and the Majestic Monarch’s tag and release event invites public participation in local conservation. To support Monarchs and other pollinators, Niagara Parks offers a pollinator garden route featuring 12 gardens from Fort Erie to Niagara-on-the-Lake, complete with interpretive interpretive signs featuring the work of local Indigenous artists. For more information visit niagaraparks.com/pollinatorgardens.

Media Assets are available here.

About Niagara Parks

Since its establishment in 1885, Niagara Parks has remained a self-financed agency of the Ontario Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Gaming, entrusted to preserve and protect the land surrounding Niagara Falls and the Niagara River. Today, Niagara Parks boasts gardens, a horticulture school, recreation, golf courses, restaurants, heritage and historic sites, gift shops and, of course, Niagara Falls. In short, natural landscapes, history, family fun, hiking, culinary delights, attractions and adventure.

For more information, please visit niagaraparks.com

Niagara Parks

Niagara Parks

The Niagara Parks Commission is committed to a vision of Ontario’s Niagara Parks as one that Preserves a rich heritage, Conserves natural wonders, and Inspires people world-wide. Founded in 1885, The Niagara Parks Commission is an Operational Enterprise Agency of the Ontario Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport. Its mission is to protect the natural and cultural heritage along the Niagara River for the enjoyment of visitors while maintaining financial self-sufficiency.