Morpho helenor Photo: Insectarium de Montréal (René Limoges)Butterflies Go Free – until April 29, Botanical Garden LiveEvents March 4, 2018 5197 Butterflies Go Free Nature Haven Enjoy a natural refuge where you can discover butterflies’ habitat and learn how to create your own beautiful, inviting butterfly garden. As you step inside the Reception Centre at the Jardin botanique, you’ll be greeted by a kinetic sculpture by artist Andrea Williamson, a piece bridging human activities and the well-being and vitality of the other species that share our planet. A chair is covered with tiny motorized butterflies whose wings are programmed to flap in correlation with the city’s monitored air pollution levels. The healthier the air, the more active the butterflies. Don’t miss it! Once you reach the Main Exhibition Greenhouse, you’re sure to be dazzled by the thousands of colourful, shimmering butterflies flitting about. The 21st edition of Butterflies Go Free is spotlighting butterflies’ relationship with their habitat. Join the Insectarium’s science educators and learn how to create inviting surroundings for butterflies and recreate the magic of Butterflies Go Free in your own garden. It’s a great way to better share our habitat with local butterflies and to “better dwell on our planet,” together! Butterfly Facts Number of butterflies in the greenhouses – 1,500 to 2,000 Number of butterflies released during the event – between 15,000 and 20,000 Number of species present during the event – approx. 75 Number of species typically seen during a visit – approx. 50 Where do the butterflies come from? Costa Rica, El Salvador, Kenya, Malaysia, Philippines, Tanzania and United States For more information (including schedule times and rates) or to visit the online ticket office: www.espacepourlavie.ca/en