Friends Of The Garden

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Springfield, MO
Friends Of The Garden

We are a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization devoted to supporting the Springfield Botanical Gardens at Nathanael Greene/Close Memorial Park!

We’re individuals & families who support the Botanical Center & Gardens in its mission to provide outstanding botanical, horticultural and environmental education opportunities for people of all ages. Anyone with an interest or appreciation in nature who wish to support the progress of the gardens is encouraged to join. As a member, you’re a partner in the future of the gardens.

09/01/2026

When a caterpillar is big enough to turn into a butterfly known as metamorphosis, they make a chrysalis! When butterflies are in the chrysalis form, they are called pupa. They come in all different shapes, sizes, and colors but have similar structures.
Some parts of the chrysalis are known parts of the insect like their head, thorax, abdomen, and wings. They also use spiracles which help them breathe. They glue themselves to an object using a silk pad and their cremaster is a hooked structure that helps them hold on. It is so strong it holds the pupa even in a storm!
📸Chris Barnhart

08/25/2026

Get ready for 𝑮𝙖𝒓𝙙𝒆𝙣 𝙂𝒂𝙨𝒕𝙧𝒐𝙣𝒐𝙢𝒚, the 2026 Garden Gala on Thursday, September 24! Celebrate a seed-to-supper experience at the Master Gardeners Demonstration Garden with delicious, locally sourced dishes and refreshing craft mocktails.

𝐈𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐝𝐮𝐚𝐥 𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐤𝐞𝐭𝐬 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐧𝐨𝐰 𝐨𝐧 𝐬𝐚𝐥𝐞!

Want to make a bigger impact? Become a sponsor! Sponsorships range from $500 to $7,500 and include access to Gala and Gardens Aglow tickets and recognition at our events.

For more information, visit https://bit.ly/26GardenGala

08/24/2026

Caterpillar p**p also known as frass is a small pellet of plant material that is waste from eating. As caterpillars grow so does their frass pellets. They can also use this as a defense mechanism where they fling their frass so predators can't smell them!
📸Chris Barnhart

08/14/2026

How to raise a native silk moth: the Luna moth! Let us know if you have any questions!

08/10/2026

Insect-o-rama is coming up this week! This is a fun event on Friday August 14th from 6:30-9pm with the Springfield conservation nature center of all things bugs! Friends of the garden will be there and we will have live butterflies/moths and you have a chance to raise some caterpillars! To register for the even use the qr code or link! See you there🐛🦋

08/04/2026

Some butterflies have evolved to look similar to one another to avoid predators. This is known as mimicry. Some palatable species will evolve to mimic a toxic species. Sometimes two species that are both toxic to predators will evolve to be similar, reinforcing predators' learning that they are not tasty. Other species will produce offspring of all different colors to resemble toxic species.
Some mimics are so good that two species will mate together!

07/29/2026

Do you know the monarchs life cycle?
All butterflies start as a tiny egg and hatch as caterpillars. Caterpillars eat and grow until they make a chrysalis! After a few weeks they emerge as a butterfly. Females then lay eggs and the life cycle starts over!

07/23/2026

Can you spot the moth or butterfly?
Butterflies and moths evolve to camouflage to their surroundings as eggs, caterpillars, chrysalis and adults! Some species camouflage on fruit, bark, or leaves!
📸Chris Barnhart

07/20/2026

With the heat advisory through Tuesday, the hours of the Roston Native Butterfly House may be shortened or the house closed as needed to assure our docents and volunteers don't get overheated. If you want to double check if the house is open before coming for a visit, please call 891-1515, ext 2 to speak to our front desk staff.

Address

2400 South Scenic Avenue
Springfield, MO
65807

Telephone

(417) 891-1515

Website

http://friendsofthegarden.org/

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