About
Butterfly Tampa Education Programs include seeing live butterflies, watching caterpillars munching on their host plants, and possibly witnessing a butterfly emerge from its chrysalis. The program also includes visiting a living bug zoo in the Bug Bungalow, seeing native and exotic reptiles, amphibians and turtle residents, and viewing revolving exhibits of pollinator-friendly plants. Participants view bees, reptiles, insects, arthropods, moths and other creatures as part of the experience.
• Ages: 5–18 years old
• Schedule: Living exhibit and butterfly garden hours are Monday–Saturday with daytime hours and Sunday midday to afternoon hours.
• Price: “It wasn't free as advertised it was $17 for me and my child”
Butterfly Tampa Education Programs take place at Tampa’s first bug zoo, nature center and native butterfly botanical garden, which includes a new living bug zoo in the Bug Bungalow, a living exhibit and butterfly garden, and a plant and gift shop. The plant and gift shop offers items such as honey and plants for sale and includes a native plant shop with locally grown plants. The space is described as a plant and animal sanctuary, a small animal rescue, and a peaceful, tranquil place where people of all ages can reconnect with nature, with no enclosure so the butterflies can come and go as they please.
The program’s mission is to inspire dedicated conservation of butterflies and other pollinators through chemical-free native plant landscaping, public education and recreation, and to inspire conservation of butterflies and other pollinators, restoration of their habitats, and protection of the environment through research, public education, and recreation. Butterfly Tampa intends to work with its city and neighboring cities to help reverse the ongoing destruction of butterfly and pollinator habitats in local areas by providing a place to experience and understand nature and beauty.
The leadership and staff team includes CEO Anita Camacho; Executive Assistant Krista; Education & Grant Consultant Ainsley; Madison and Shea in Education and Horticulture; Project Manager Margot; Horticulture & Nature Interpreters Trinity, Santy, April, CJ, Lauren, and Aly; Consulting Herpetologist Shiv; Invert Keepers & Nature Interpreters Zachary and Alex; Invert & Reptile Keeper & Nature Interpreter Jamie; and Reptile Keeper & Nature Interpreter Will. Staff credentials include degrees and studies in Environmental Science and Policy, Biology, Anthropology, and Photography, as well as experience in reptile and invertebrate biological research, insect collecting, and environmental youth group leadership. Margot has been employed since the initial phase of Butterfly Tampa in 2019, which was followed by the first pop-up native plant shop in 2020.
Butterfly Tampa Education Programs have a 4.8 rating based on 55 reviews. Testimonials describe “cool little insects and reptiles,” “many different types of butterflies, reptiles, etc.,” and “so many amazing critters and butterflies,” and note that the animals look to be very well taken care of and that staff are welcoming, knowledgeable, and enthusiastic. Reviewers mention that the butterfly garden has lots of activity, that the space includes a nice little butterfly garden and small animal rescue, and that the gift shop alone is worth the trip. One reviewer stated, “It wasn't free as advertised it was $17 for me and my child but they had some cool little animals but mainly native animals to Florida.”
Last updated February 12, 2026.
• Ages: 5–18 years old
• Schedule: Living exhibit and butterfly garden hours are Monday–Saturday with daytime hours and Sunday midday to afternoon hours.
• Price: “It wasn't free as advertised it was $17 for me and my child”
Butterfly Tampa Education Programs take place at Tampa’s first bug zoo, nature center and native butterfly botanical garden, which includes a new living bug zoo in the Bug Bungalow, a living exhibit and butterfly garden, and a plant and gift shop. The plant and gift shop offers items such as honey and plants for sale and includes a native plant shop with locally grown plants. The space is described as a plant and animal sanctuary, a small animal rescue, and a peaceful, tranquil place where people of all ages can reconnect with nature, with no enclosure so the butterflies can come and go as they please.
The program’s mission is to inspire dedicated conservation of butterflies and other pollinators through chemical-free native plant landscaping, public education and recreation, and to inspire conservation of butterflies and other pollinators, restoration of their habitats, and protection of the environment through research, public education, and recreation. Butterfly Tampa intends to work with its city and neighboring cities to help reverse the ongoing destruction of butterfly and pollinator habitats in local areas by providing a place to experience and understand nature and beauty.
The leadership and staff team includes CEO Anita Camacho; Executive Assistant Krista; Education & Grant Consultant Ainsley; Madison and Shea in Education and Horticulture; Project Manager Margot; Horticulture & Nature Interpreters Trinity, Santy, April, CJ, Lauren, and Aly; Consulting Herpetologist Shiv; Invert Keepers & Nature Interpreters Zachary and Alex; Invert & Reptile Keeper & Nature Interpreter Jamie; and Reptile Keeper & Nature Interpreter Will. Staff credentials include degrees and studies in Environmental Science and Policy, Biology, Anthropology, and Photography, as well as experience in reptile and invertebrate biological research, insect collecting, and environmental youth group leadership. Margot has been employed since the initial phase of Butterfly Tampa in 2019, which was followed by the first pop-up native plant shop in 2020.
Butterfly Tampa Education Programs have a 4.8 rating based on 55 reviews. Testimonials describe “cool little insects and reptiles,” “many different types of butterflies, reptiles, etc.,” and “so many amazing critters and butterflies,” and note that the animals look to be very well taken care of and that staff are welcoming, knowledgeable, and enthusiastic. Reviewers mention that the butterfly garden has lots of activity, that the space includes a nice little butterfly garden and small animal rescue, and that the gift shop alone is worth the trip. One reviewer stated, “It wasn't free as advertised it was $17 for me and my child but they had some cool little animals but mainly native animals to Florida.”
Last updated February 12, 2026.
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