Butterfly Tent Safari Returns to Essex County

The butterflies are coming back.

The Essex County Environmental Center once again will feature a public showing of the Butterfly Tent Safari, announced County Executive Joseph N. DiVincenzo Jr.

“The Butterfly Tent Safari at the Essex County Environmental Center is an interactive display of live native butterflies for families to observe and enjoy," DiVincenzo explained in a statement. "Spend your time in the tent feeding the butterflies or simply marveling at their beauty and delicate nature. Listen to a
story, make butterfly crafts or just take some time to witness the magnificence of nature at our Environmental Center."


The safari exhibit will be available for viewing starting Saturday and through July 27: Mondays to Fridays from noon to 3 p.m. and Saturdays from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

In conjunction with the safari event, the Environmental Center will present butterfly-themed family programs that include access to the butterfly tent on Saturdays July 13th, 20th and 27th. Those programs include:

• Saturday, July 13 at 10 a.m. or 12 noon: Appropriate for children ages 3½ to 5 years. “The Very Hungry Caterpillar” will be read and students will participate in an arts and crafts session.
• Saturday, July 20 at 10 a.m. or 12 Noon: Appropriate for children ages 5 years and older. “Buzz into Action with Insect Education” is a family-fun and hands-on presentation about bugs and butterflies.
• Saturday, July 27 from 12 Noon to 1:30 p.m.: Appropriate for adults and children ages 8 years and older. “Butterfly Gardening Workshop” will be led by Essex County Rutgers Master Gardener Jean Greeley, who will talk about the basics of creating a butterfly garden.