NABA-Central Kentucky

The North American Butterfly Association (NABA) formed in 1992 is, by far, the largest group of people in North America (Canada, United States, and Mexico) interested in butterflies. We are a membership-based 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization working to increase public enjoyment and conservation of butterflies. NABA owns and operates the National Butterfly Center (NBC), a 100-acre conservation, education and research center in Mission, Texas. NABA has transformed what was an agricultural field, when acquired by NABA in 2002, into the largest botanical garden in the United States focused on using native plants in a garden setting. More than 220 species of wild butterflies have now been seen at the NBC. NABA runs the NABA Butterfly Monitoring Program, including the 4th of July Butterfly Counts, and has amassed the largest database of butterfly occurrences and abundances in the world. These data are increasingly used by scientists to study butterfly population trends and to answer questions about butterfly biology. NABA’s Program for Butterfly Gardening and Habitats promotes the creation of habitats that increase the world’s population of butterflies. A Butterfly Garden Certification is available for Individuals and institutions. The NABA chapters work at the state and/or local level to conserve butterflies and to educate the public about the importance of butterflies.