Fairchild Garden's World Class Butterfly Conservatory And Science
Village To Open On Saturday, December 1, 2012
CORAL GABLES, Fla.,
Nov. 8, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/
-- Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden's state-of-the-art DiMare
Science Village, covering more than 25,000 square feet and
featuring The Clinton Family Conservatory featuring a splendid
butterfly exhibit, the Glasshouse Cafe, Windows to the Tropics
Conservatory, and the Whitman Tropical Fruit Pavilion, is scheduled
to open to the public on Saturday, December 1,
2012.
(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20121108/DC08394)
"The opening of the Butterfly Conservatory and Science Village
brings together the fusion of nature's magnificence and the
enormous breadth of scientific research and technology available at
our fingertips today," said Dr. Carl
Lewis, Director, Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden.
"Educating our children today about conservation science, the
careers available to them, and the impact they can make, is
absolutely critical in the 21st century."
A canopy of oak trees, some more than 50 years old, frame the
architecture of the Conservatory's exterior. Leading visitors
through the Conservatory is a unique path garnished with a variety
of plant imprints courtesy of Fairchild
Garden's staff, volunteers and children who participated in
summer camp programs. As guests enter the Butterfly Conservatory,
volunteers will be on hand to offer information and welcome them
into the Conservatory which is ADA accessible.
Creating a wonderland of nature, an outdoor screened enclosure
arouses the senses with butterflies by the thousands, hummingbirds,
palms and trees wrapped with Fairchild's extensive collection of
rare orchids, all alongside a beautiful stream that flows
throughout the length of Conservatory. Upon entering, visitors
encounter a Butterfly Metamorphosis lab where, through a glass
wall, they can view butterfly chrysalis that are undergoing
metamorphosis. Butterfly Conservatory staff can be viewed in the
lab conducting research and observing the as the butterflies
emerge. Emerging butterflies will be released twice a day
into the Conservatory as part of its interactive programming for
guests.
Visitors continue next into the Windows to the Tropics
Conservatory where they will experience some of the tropical
world's rarest plants; plants too sensitive even for Miami's mild winters. In addition,
visitors will enjoy a majestic "Corchid Tree"—a large cork-covered
PVC tree that is designed to exhibit rare epiphytes and orchids.
Next, the Tropical Fruit Pavilion introduces visitors to the world
of tropical fruit. Guests will see Cacao (from where chocolate
comes), the Vanilla orchid, the rare Mangosteen and more.
The new Glasshouse Cafe, which is directly across from
Fairchild's rainforest, exhibits a large glass chandelier by
Dale Chihuly and 20 foot high
ceilings that peer into the Conservatory through floor to ceiling
glass doors. The Cafe's popular menu has been broadened to include
organic and locally grown food, includes seating of up to 150
people and is available for private rentals.
The Science Village will showcase the talent and accomplishments
of Fairchild's conservation team by directly connecting scientists
and their activities with the hundreds of thousands of visitors to
the Garden. Fairchild's five-year vision is to support the science
education initiatives with 10 Ph.D. scientists, 20 Ph.D. students
and 40 undergraduate research students. The undergraduate and
graduate course offerings taking place at the Science Village bring
Fairchild's existing environmental educational programs, The
Fairchild Challenge, the highly successful multidisciplinary
environmental education program for grades K-12 directly into a
pipeline.
Fairchild has upheld strict environmental standards during the
development phase, the result of which allows the Science Village
to become LEED certified. This new scientific hub marks the
first time in 50 years that Fairchild's team of scientists will be
working on-site with the opportunity to interact with students,
visitors and the community. Since the 1960s, Fairchild's scientists
worked from a separate facility one mile from the Garden.
Fostering a strong sense of pride in Miami's environment, conservation science and
community, the Science Village is equipped with the Dr. Jane Hsiao
Laboratories - four cutting edge educational labs including
the Jason Vollmer Butterfly Metamorphosis Lab for pupae rearing, a
Micro-propagation Lab for propagating rare orchids, palm, cycads
and other endangered topical plants; a DNA Lab for biodiversity and
conservation studies; and a Microscopy and Imaging Lab which
enables scientists to study plants and butterflies in minute
detail.
A unique alliance for scientific study, the laboratories are
installed with computer screens, Wi-Fi, and live webcams to
facilitate lectures, and allow visitors to experience the work
taking place inside of the labs, outside. The large-sized
classrooms allow college and graduate students from Florida International University, the University of Miami and the University of Florida to extend their
education.
The Tropical Science Institute named in honor of Dr.
James A. Kushlan, a well-known
South Florida biologist and
wetland conservationist and sponsor of Fairchild's bird
conservation initiative will be housed in the Science Village. Its
overarching goal is to collect under one umbrella the science
activities of the Garden and to facilitate coordination and
increased cooperation among South
Florida's scientists, conservationists, and educators
engaged in tropical science, conservation and higher education.
About Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden
Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden is dedicated to exploring,
explaining and conserving the world of tropical plants. Considered
the greatest tropical botanic garden in the world, Fairchild
exhibits some of the tropical world's rarest and most beautiful
plants within the tapestry of an iconic landscape design. Fairchild
is a one of the world's best science, conservation and
education-based gardens and a recognized international leader in
both Florida and international
conservation. It has conservation programs in over 20 countries
throughout the tropical world including the Indonesia, South
America, the Caribbean, and
Southeast Asia. Fairchild's palm
and cycad collections are considered the best collections in the
world and are nationally recognized by the American Public Gardens
Association. It is also home to the American Orchid Society. The
Fairchild Challenge is the largest science-based education program
in the U.S. reaching more than 150,000 schoolchildren. Fairchild
hosts popular events like the Chocolate, Mango, Orchid, Food and
Garden, Ramble and Edible Garden Festivals, as well as an
internationally acclaimed Art Program, Garden Music Festival,
concerts, plant shows and sales, and evening events and is the
cultural and community hub in South
Florida. Fairchild is a not-for-profit organization with
45,000 members and over 1,200 volunteers. Add admissions
information here. For additional information, visit us at
www.fairchildgarden.org and on Facebook and Twitter.
SOURCE Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden