The Butterfly Conservatory was founded as a Rainforest Regeneration Project by Glenn Baines, a retired engineer from the USA. It was during a vacation trip to Costa Rica, that he made the decision to move to there… after experiencing a breathtaking eruption of the Arenal Volcano. From his vantage point in the small village of El Castillo, he observed a magnificent series of lava eruptions which left a lasting impression. (fortunately these types of eruptions are normal for the Arenal volcano, and they never affect the El Castillo area. Not even in July 1968 when the initial Arenal, which had been dormant for over 400 years first re-awoke with enormous eruptions that formed the new “1968 Arenal” on the west flank of the original volcano.)

So having been struck for the first time by the awesome feeling and energy in this volcano, along with the peace of the surrounding rainforest reserves an inspiration was born. Just 60 years ago all the area around Arenal was primary forest, but much of it had been cut under a misguided program to Homestead the area into small cattle ranches. So Glenn’s idea to regenerate the rainforest on a cattle ranch that was located close to the remaining rainforest reserves became the mission. And as a result, the Vision for the project was created; “To become the best Learning Center for butterfly and nature regeneration in Costa Rica.”

Since 2003, the Butterfly Conservatory has been expanding and enhancing it’s various nature exhibitions and biodiversity demonstrations, to provide an educational resource that people can visit and appreciate for years to come. And by placing a special focus on butterflies; the project has now grown to contain the largest butterfly exhibition in Costa Rica.

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