GRAND RAPIDS TOWNSHIP, Mich. (WOOD) — The popular Fred & Dorothy Fichter Butterflies Are Blooming exhibition at Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park near Grand Rapids opened to the public Wednesday, welcoming families to learn about butterflies and how to conserve them.
It’s the largest temporary tropical butterfly exhibition in the country, with 7,000 butterflies of 60 species. The temperature and humidity of 15,000-square-foot conservatory are carefully regulated to keep the butterflies comfortable.
“It’s really fun just to see nature in action, to see the colors, to feel like you’re in a different ecosystem,” Jacob Beerens, who visited on opening day with his family, said. “I thought it was pretty amazing, but don’t stay in that exhibit too long — feels like a jungle.”
You’ll want to wear clothing appropriate for temperatures up to 85 degrees, and wearing bright colors may attract the butterflies to you.
Different species are active at different times of the day, so Meijer Gardens says there’s really no bad time to visit. The exhibition is open late on Tuesdays, giving visitors a chance to see the butterflies settle down for the night.
“At the very end of the day, as the light gets less and less … those butterflies start to roost and it’s really interesting to see how different varieties will roost together sometimes and you’ll see them in the same spots every night,” Steve LaWarre, vice president of horticulture at Meijer Gardens, said.
Butterflies Are Blooming runs through April 30. Meijer Gardens hosts all sorts of events, including for kids, throughout the exhibition. You can learn more on its website.
