Be a Voice for Butterflies


Habitat destruction is devastating butterfly populations. It’s urgent that we act now.

Be a Voice for Butterflies


Habitat destruction is devastating butterfly populations. It’s urgent that we act now.

If we can save butterflies,
We can save ourselves.®

Agraulis vanillae, Gulf Fritillary, 2013 Sept 13, Natl Butterfly Cntr, Hidalgo Co, TX

Our mission:

Butterflies are wildlife crucial to our ecosystem. Our mission is to create a world where butterflies thrive, for the benefit of nature and people.

Get our latest butterfly news and join us in protecting butterflies.

Agraulis vanillae, Gulf Fritillary, 2013 Sept 13, Natl Butterfly Cntr, Hidalgo Co, TX

Our mission:

Butterflies are wildlife crucial to our ecosystem. Our mission is to create a world where butterflies thrive, for the benefit of nature and people.

Get our latest butterfly news and join us in protecting butterflies.

Our Vision

Butterflies Need You

NABA is dedicated to the conservation of wild butterflies and their habitats.
Butterflies are wildlife, and should be valued and protected as such.
As pollinators they are critical to our shared environment, and as indicator species they give us early warning of environmental peril. Butterflies are a key link in the food chain.
Butterflies are also wondrous and magical in a way that singularly captures our imaginations and connects people with nature and each other.
NABA envisions a future where wild butterflies thrive in healthy habitats, none are threatened or endangered, and all people can enjoy observing them in nature.

  • Counter habitat destruction with habitat construction!
  • Acquire land to create butterfly habitat; partner with public and private entities to restore imperiled landscapes
  • Certify thousands of Butterfly Gardens across the continent, from people’s backyards to schools, libraries, city parks, houses of worship and corporate campuses
  • NABA’s Butterfly Monitoring Program conducts citizen scientist-led butterfly counts across the North American continent
  • NABA has amassed the largest database of butterfly sightings and population abundances in the world
  • This data is used by researchers to study population trends and butterfly biology
  • NABA publishes two quarterly magazines, American Butterflies and Butterfly Gardener, providing in-depth information on all things butterflies and butterfly gardening
  • NABA publishes an annual counts report detailing the geographical distribution and population size of species identified during NABA Butterfly Counts
  • The NABA Names Committee of top butterfly taxonomists publishes the Checklist of North American Butterflies, which helps butterfliers keep track of their species sightings.
  • NABA is a membership organization comprised of a community of butterfly enthusiasts dedicated to saving butterflies by creating and restoring habitat, monitoring populations and educating their communities.
  • NABA’s 23 chapters in 14 states convene regular member meetings, field trips, butterfly monitoring counts and educational events to engage community members.
  • The NABA community strives to inspire and build a powerful butterfly movement that will secure the future of wild butterflies in nature across North America.
Our Work & Impact

Since 1992

Volunteer chapters, The heart and soul of the NABA community.
Certified butterfly gardens and counting.
Butterflies counted at 11,200 counts.
Create Butterfly Habitat

Butterfly Garden Program

Create a paradise for butterflies that expands their habitat, no matter the size of your garden.. 

Just Announced!

Certify Your Garden

LEARN which native plants are suitable for your region.
PLAN your garden with nectar and food plants.
PLANT your garden and avoid pesticides.

CERTIFY your garden and receive your official NABA certificate.
DISPLAY your commitment to supporting butterfly populations with a weatherproof sign!
Become a NABA member and receive Butterfly Gardener magazine (among other great benefits) to keep up with the latest on butterfly gardens.

JOIN THE COUNT

Can we count you in to count butterflies?

Discover the National Butterfly Center

NABA’s National Butterfly Center encompasses 100 acres of restored habitat, replete with native nectar and caterpillar food plants, that is home to 246 species of butterflies (and counting!) along with nearly 300 species of birds, 60 species of dragonflies and 130 species of reptiles. The preserve includes trails for exploring, observation areas and educational exhibits. The Center also runs the annual Texas Butterfly Festival.

How you can help today

Get Butterflies in Your Inbox

Build a Butterfly Garden

Plant native nectar and caterpillar food plants in your garden and get an official NABA certification

Support Our Work

Butterflies populations are declining. Donate to save butterflies now.