National Butterfly Center, Mission Texas, a project of the North American Butterfly Association.

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Inside the National Butterfly Center

Visit us at the National Butterfly Center!

We are thankful for Nature, her healing abilities and the beauty of all her creatures and features. Wherever you may be, we hope you will come join us and experience all the wonder and wildlife at NBC. Butterfly friends are the best friends!

With gratitude,

Stephanie, Nestor, Omar, Amanda, Angel, Trinidad

Terry, Maria, Joselyn, Darla, Judith, Roberto

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Scenes from the National Butterfly Center!

Watch the video for a peek of some of the amazing sites and happenings at NBC.

A flagship project of the North American Butterfly Association, the NBC is committed to 'Growing Connections' between people, plants, and the winged wonders that pollinate and propagate all that grows around us. We do this through educational and environmental initiatives that cultivate meaningful understanding of the parties and processes that create beneficial and sustainable ecosystems.

The Center showcases live animals and plants, in wild and cultivated settings, with educational exhibits to enhance human understanding and appreciation. This large-scale project is designed to ensure our beautiful landscape and the wildlife we take for granted will be here for future generations to enjoy. In addition to the ever-growing gardens and trails, the Center boasts an impressive Visitor's Pavilion, designed by Wendy Evans Joseph, principal architect of the Holocaust Museum in Washington, DC, and the Women's Museum in Dallas, Texas.

Come visit us and experience the wonders of the National Butterfly Center!

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Research Concludes "Summer Abundance" of Monarchs Sufficient to Buffer Winter Declines

Research Concludes "Summer Abundance" of Monarchs Sufficient to Buffer Winter Declines - National Butterfly Center

Our parent organization, the North American Butterfly Association (NABA), recently contributed to research and a white paper related to monarch population numbers. See the full report in the PDF, here, and read more below.

Monarchs are the iconic American butterfly species. Concern for the survival of this species, amidst reports of declining numbers, shrinking habitat, environmental toxins and climate change, have spurred public interest in conservation efforts to assist monarchs in their plight. For this we are grateful.

Of the 456 butterfly species tracked by NABA, there are 320 species with trends less positive that monarch butterflies. These findings are consistent with other recent analyses of large-scale insect data, documenting species decline. While we hope individuals, communities and organizations will continue to invest in monarch research, public education and habitat restoration, we encourage everyone to engage with us, their local, native plant society, or nearest NABA Chapter, to plant native for all butterfly species, which depend upon native host plants for reproduction and resilience.

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Wild Bees of the National Butterfly Center

A new research project has revealed that dozens of unique and beautiful native bee species are present at the National Butterfly Center. Many of these are rarely seen within the United States, or are found here only in the Lower Rio Grande Border. One National Butterfly Center species, the red-legged Toluca leafcutter, has never been documented in this country before this year.

The NBC native bee project, conducted by distinguished photojournalists Paula Sharp and Ross Eatman, began in September 2018. Aided by scientists specializing in bees, Sharp and Eatman have now recorded more than 50 NBC native bee species in dazzling photographs, viewable on the website WILD BEES OF THE NATIONAL BUTTERFLY CENTER.

Before arriving at the National Butterfly Center, Paula Sharp and Ross Eatman undertook a three-year project documenting native bee species for New York’s state park system. Sponsored by the New York State Environmental Protection fund, this project culminated in the highly-regarded and well-traveled nature website, Wild Bees of New York, which provides information on more than 120 species of native bees of the Northeastern United States.

Sharp and Eatman’s photographs of wild bees have been exhibited at numerous prominent museums, art galleries and botanical gardens across the country, including the Houston Museum of Natural Science.

PBS NATURE: Sex, Lies & Butterflies at the National Butterfly Center

The National Butterfly Center, in Mission, Texas, serves as the backdrop for a portion of this insightful documentary of wild butterflies, filmed by Peabody Award-winning cinematographer Ann Johnson Prum, who recently won the Emmy for Best Cinematography in Documentary for her production of Super Hummingbirds, also for PBS' NATURE.

You never know what you'll see at the National Butterfly Center!

Did you know nearly 150 species of North American butterflies can be seen only in the Lower Rio Grande Valley (LRGV) of Texas, or by traveling to Mexico?

In fact, more than 300 species of butterflies may be found in the LRGV, and more than 240 species have been seen at the National Butterfly Center, including a number of rarities and U.S. Records!

Incredibly, almost 40% of the 700+ butterflies that can be found in the United States can be seen in this three-county area at the southernmost tip of Texas, where the subtropical climate makes it possible to enjoy the outdoors year 'round.

We are grateful for the support of:

The National Butterfly Center is a project of the North American Butterfly Association, a national 501c3 nonprofit organization with the mission of creating a world where butterflies thrive, for the benefit of nature and people.