NOTE: Difficulty Level is 3.5 ONLY because there are parking/entrance fees -and- multiple waypoints.
BUTTERFLY CONSERVATORY ... ADULTS 16.00 / Child 10.25 ... See link for additional information.
Phone 905-358-0025 / 877-642-7275 to make sure Conservatory is open before visiting.
"Located on the grounds of the Niagara Parks Botanical Gardens, visitors to the Butterfly Conservatory are transported to a tropical paradise full of lush vegetation, trickling waterfalls and thousands of vibrantly coloured butterflies. Over 2,000 butterflies, made up of 45 different species, call this beautiful space home. The self-guided walking tour of the Butterfly Conservatory begins with a short, informative video presentation."
THANK YOU NIAGARA PARKS for permission to share this magical adventure.
THANK YOU NIAGARA PARKS STAFF for information to add to this learning adventure.
Each cacher must send his/her own answers via message BEFORE logging a find.
POSTED COORDINATES ... Main parking lot
1. WAYPOINT 1 ... Message the answer. You will see something unique near, but not directly at the coordinates. You will need to wander around to get the entire view because it may be obscured by bushes. What is it? ... See HINT if needed.
2. ENTER CONSERVATORY and WATCH THE VIDEO ... Message the answers to the following questions.
-Where do the butterflies found in the conservatory come from? (places not eggs).
-What do you see at the emergence window?
-What is one precaution given as you walk the trail?
2. ALTERNATIVELY - View The Butterfly Circus
A. What three words does the sideshow man use to describe Will?
B. What word does Mr. Mendez use to describe Will?
C. There's nothing _______ about a man's _______ on display.
D. What this world needs is a _______.
E. The greater the _______, the more glorious the _______.
F. Will ascends _______ feet into the air and leaps into a _______.
3. ENTER CONSERVATORY and WALK THE SELF-GUIDED TRAIL ... Post a picture of your favorite butterfly encounter.
To increase the chances of butterflies landing on you, wear bright colors.
NOTE ... Every cacher logging a find must have a butterfly picture. The picture does not need to include yourself. If caching with a group, indicate in your log the cacher who is uploading your picture. That picture needs to have your caching name as the description. Three in the group = three different butterfly pictures.
4. WAYPOINT 2 ... Message the answer. What three things are provided in this garden for Monarch Butterflies as they migrate through North America?
5. WAYPOINT 3 ... Message the answer Identify the plant (both common name and scientific name).
This plant is both a Butterfly Host Plant -and- a Butterfly Nectar Plant.
BUTTERFLY HOST PLANTS are the nurseries. The female lays her eggs on the leaves. Then 10-14 days later, the larvae (caterpillar) munches on the leaves until it forms a chrysalis. BUTTERFLY NECTAR PLANTS provide food for the adults needed to sustain life.
6. WAYPOINT 4 ... Post a picture.
The Legacy Prairie Garden showcases the native butterfly and pollinator habitats of five Ontario plant communities ... tall grass prairie / oak savannah / riparian / sand barren / alvar. This garden is home to a variety of wildlife and changes with the seasons. Wander the paths of this peaceful oasis, and share your favorite thing.
NOTE ... Every cacher logging a find must have a garden picture. The picture does not need to include yourself. If caching with a group, indicate in your log the cacher who is uploading your picture. That picture needs to have your caching name as the description. Three in the group = three different garden pictures.
Lamb's Ears (Stachys byzantina) -and- Solitary Bee House
Virtual Rewards 2.0 - 2019/2020
This Virtual Cache is part of a limited release of Virtuals created between June 4, 2019 and June 4, 2020. Only 4,000 cache owners were given the opportunity to hide a Virtual Cache. Learn more about Virtual Rewards 2.0 on the Geocaching Blog.
Butterfly Host Plants
Even though host plants aren’t top-of-mind when planning a butterfly garden, no butterfly garden is complete without these important, ‘behind-the-scenes’, plants.
Host plants are the nurseries of the garden. If you keep an eye out you’ll see the female as she flits around the plant, gently laying her next brood’s eggs, sometimes on the top of leaves but usually on the bottom, hidden from predators.
Then, in 10 to 14 days, the tiny larvae, less than an eighth inch long, emerge and begin eating the plant. It’s a fascinating process as they munch away, growing larger everyday. Equally fascinating is watching the caterpillar leave the plant to form a chrysalis.
Host plants range from flowering plants like Milkweed and Passion Vine, to herbs like Fennel, to bushes as well as trees like Sweet Bay Magnolia.
By including both host plants and nectar plants in your garden, you can attract a wider selection of butterflies while providing an environment that supports their entire life cycle.
Butterfly Nectar Plants
Of the two types of plants you'll need to attract butterflies to your garden, nectar plants usually get top billing. And why not? They add color, style and beauty to your garden while providing the food most butterflies and other wildlife need to sustain life.
For butterflies, presentation is everything so by grouping a number of the same nectar plants together you’ll help butterflies see your scrumptious offering from a distance.
Some nectar plants have the reputation of being favorites to a wide variety of butterflies – plants such as Coneflower, Butterfly Bush, Tall Verbena and Lantana, to name a few. Be sure to check with your local garden organizations for any plants that may be considered ‘invasive’ in your area.
You may want to consider planting nectar plants that are native to your area. They not only can require less maintenance than non-natives but can bring a welcome variety to your gardens. Check with your local garden organizations for a list of the native plants in your area.
Finally, be sure to extend your garden ‘menu’ with your favorite butterflies’ host plants.