ANNUAL REPORT 2014 CONTENTS conservation, scientific research, and educational understand now, more than ever, that there is a critical need 2 2014 Mission Impact LETTER FROM THE programming. We are only the second invertebrate zoo and for our work. We realize the long-term impact our work the first stand-alone butterfly house in the world to achieve has on the Front Range community. For example, in 2014 PRESIDENT & CEO this honor. We are extremely proud to help professionally we expanded our investment in the Sustainable Scholarships 5 Sustainable Scholarships Patrick Tennyson advance invertebrate research and education, species Program. Through the support of very generous donors we survival plans, and invertebrate breeding initiatives, and we not only measurably expanded our scholarship endowment 7 2014 Highlights look forward to doing so in collaboration with some of the for the future, but also through day to day support we Dear Friends, finest zoological facilities around the world. were able to award over $21,000 in school group and field trip scholarships to help over 10,200 underserved, 8 Financials Our choices, no matter how small or seemingly insignificant, are Also in 2014, Butterfly Pavilion launched into a 14-month disadvantaged students and residents. Our supporters in reality, cumulative. Added all together our choices can make a master planning effort that called for a significant strategic understand and champion that through this investment difference, have an influence, or alter a direction. dive into facility analysis and impact evaluation of our 10 Pioneer Award we provide life-long change in the way children and adults For 19 years, Butterfly Pavilion has been providing educational mission-based efforts to date. The process was led by WDM view the natural world, planting the seed of environmental opportunities and hands-on connections with some of the smallest Architects, based in Wichita, Kansas. The overarching 12 Donors & Supporters stewardship and conservation for generations to come. We but most important species on the planet. We create immersive project was a concept design for a new, improved facility, are committed to ensuring socio-economic status is NEVER experiences that connect our guests intimately to nature and help to expanding our current capacity to serve our education, an obstacle to connecting to the natural world! 14 In-Kind Contributors positively shape the choices we all make regarding the world in which conservation, and research efforts as well as our services we live. and amenities to guests, schools, and our entire stakeholder Butterfly Pavilion has provided nearly 5.5 million visitors population. It was then built out in a comprehensive plan with hands-on learning experiences and nearly one 17 Volunteers As a guest, member, supporter, or donor, it is a magnificent time to addressing most aspects of business from our programs and million school children have visited Butterfly Pavilion for share in the wonder and impact of Butterfly Pavilion. In 2014, we exhibits to marketing and our brand, our fund development educational field trips. As we head into our 20th year of took some strategic leaps forward. We have positioned Butterfly 18 Board of Directors pathway, sustainability goals, and of course our physical existence, we have begun planning for the next 20 years of Pavilion to continue to expand its current influence on our footprint. This plan provides tremendous insight on what growth. We are committed to serving as one of Colorado’s community as we look forward to tomorrow with deliberate focus on 19 Scientific Advisory Butterfly Pavilion will become over the next decade and most recognized and socially responsible science education more regional, national, and international influence. Although the the road map on how we will achieve it. The best part facilities. Board immediate financial investment was significant, the value and return is that through this master planning process, we as an will be realized for decades to come. We have very high expectations, and we continue to make organization have realized that the risk of having impact of the appropriate investments to ensure our contributions 21 Staff This last year Butterfly Pavilion achieved one of the highest honors global significance is far less painful, scary, or intimidating make a difference, have an influence, and alter a direction that can be attained by an organization of our kind. In September, than simply maintaining the status quo. Exhilarating is an important to the world in which we live. we were granted accreditation by the Association of Zoos and understatement in regards to this plans implications! Aquariums (AZA). AZA is a nonprofit organization founded I thank you for your continued support and your Today and well into the future, Butterfly Pavilion remains in1924 that is dedicated to the advancement of zoos and aquariums investment in all that we do! very committed to improving Denver Metro Area and strives to raise the professional standard in order to influence communities through our programs, projects and outreach Sincerely, the development of only superior zoological parks and aquariums efforts. From our Senior Habitat Gardening program and around the world. Accreditation by the AZA reflects the rigors of Patrick Tennyson our Open Space Restoration efforts, to our vital support of professional assessment that Butterfly Pavilion has conducted to President and CEO schools through on-site and outreach classes, we ensure the highest standards in animal care and welfare, wildlife Butterfly Pavilion Mission Impact 2014 Education Highlights Community Highlights • We served 46,913 school children through onsite Butterfly Pavilion awarded 210 fellow nonprofit organizations class visits and outreach programs, helping each a donation of four in-kind admission tickets, which equates children learn important concepts like ecosystems to $7,980 of support to enhance their fundraising efforts. Butterfly Pavilion Accomplishments and food chains. Our volunteers provided 20,437 hours of community service, In the 19 years Butterfly Pavilion has been in existence, we have provided • $21,846 was awarded in field trip and class which is the equivalent of 10 full-time employees! nearly 5.5 million visitors with hands-on educational experiences. scholarships, helping 10,208 students. Since 2002, Butterfly Pavilion has planted butterfly habitat gardens at 43 senior • We led teacher enrichment classes providing 215 We saw nearly centers across the Front Range, providing nearly 3,000 seniors with outdoor professional educators with Colorado State Model opportunities and creating more places for native bugs and butterflies to call In 2014 Butterfly Pavilion became Content Standards for the Life Sciences (K-12). home. 14,500 the first stand-alone invertebrate • 367 children enjoyed Butterfly Pavilion camps attendees at our five Butterfly Pavilion delivered the Growing Scientists program for its 11th year, zoo to become AZA accredited! about bugs, plants, marine life, and more. serving 1,500 low income students and families, 61 teachers, and 7 schools. major public events • We served 1,758 adults through programs that Bugs We Love, Bloomapalooza, appeal to the lifelong learner in all of us. Insectival, Bug-A-Boo, & Living Lights • We had over 46,357 attendees at our free, These special events appeal to visitors Scientific Highlights classroom-based “Spineless Spotlight” programs, across a broad spectrum of age groups In 2014 we flew We imported pupae investing over Colorado Butterfly Monitoring Network providing every visitor with the opportunity to and demographics while carrying a $80,000 in the sustainable business increased from 7 sites in 2013 to 47 sites in interact with leaders in environmental education. strong conservation message. 29,672 practice of butterfly farming, which 2014, a 571% increase. This work identifies • Butterfly Pavilion became a SOLE (Students in provides a fair trade income to people in butterfly trends and supports educated land Outdoor Learning Environments) partner with butterflies and moths the tropics, keeping the rainforest intact management practices. the Colorado Division of Parks and Wildlife, and and contributing to global conservation served several hundred students and their families and 170 different We installed Plains to Peak native Colorado efforts. Our Curatorial team made garden, a previously undeveloped part of with outdoor education programs. more than 1,000 animal identifications, tropical species. Butterfly Pavilion’s landscape. It became a • We developed a new 9-week afterschool program helping educate the community about the terraced native plant garden, showcasing invertebrates in our area. for Centennial Elementary, consisting of three the state’s diverse and beautiful flora. 9-week sessions for K-2 and 3-6 grade students. Mission Vision Our mission is to foster an appreciation of We believe that an appreciation of the environment begins with an invertebrates while educating the public about appreciation of all living things. Every day we teach the young and old alike the importance of conservation of threatened about the need for conservation, because with knowledge and empowerment habitats in the tropics and around the world. we will protect the world’s natural habitats for generations to come. 2 Butterfly Pavilion | 2014 Annual Report Butterfly Pavilion | 2014 Annual Report 3 Sustainable Scholarships n 2014, Butterfly Pavilion’s capital campaign costs in 2014.