Massachusetts Butterfly Club

Since 1995, the Massachusetts Butterfly Club has been hosting 'Butterfly Institutes' across the state. Each Institute is a series of weeknight lectures and weekend field trips that are conducted by MBC members for 4 to 8 weeks in May and June. They are often co-sponsored with other organizations, and they are open to club members and non-members alike.

The topics that are addressed range across butterfly identification, life cycle, gardening, and conservation and environmental issues. The Institutes employ both formal presentations and informal discussions. They are also a great opportunity to become acquainted with some MBC members. Classes are usually filled to limits of 15 to 20 people, and a lot of enthusiasm is generated on the field trips. Attendees are encouraged to go on the other MBC field trips that are offered, and to participate in the NABA Fourth of July counts.

2008 Info

The Club will not run any Institutes, per se this year, but several club members are teaming up with Massachusetts Audubon Society sanctuaries to offer butterfly-related classes and workshops. Participation may be limited to a fixed number of people, so sign up now!

• Hitchcock Center in Amherst
  starting April 8 (Details)


• Joppa Flats Education Center in Newburyport
  starting June 21 (Details)


• Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary in Topsfield
  Program on July 19, 9-noon
  This program will be led by Sharon Stichter, editor of our journal Massachusetts Butterflies, and editor of the Massachusetts Butterfly Club's Guide to Good Butterfly Sites. Join us as we learn to identify many species, and search for them around the sanctuary. Cost: $16.00 Massachusetts Audubon Society members, $19.00 non-members. Register with the Sanctuary at 978-887-9264.