Butterfly World, Hertfordshire
Encyclopedia
The Butterfly World Project is a developing visitor attraction in the village of Chiswell Green
, on the outskirts of St Albans
in Hertfordshire
, UK, dedicated to showcasing and promoting learning about butterflies
.
in London
. Farrell secured a number of high-profile patrons for the scheme, including naturalist
s Sir David Attenborough
and Professor David Bellamy
, gardener and broadcaster Alan Titchmarsh
, actress Emilia Fox
, and barrister and politician Baroness Helena Kennedy.
The site at Chiswell Green is adjacent to the Gardens of the Rose
and construction has been underway since 2009. Four phases of development are planned with the final phase expected to be finished in autumn 2012.
in the shape of a chrysalis, a study centre, picnic areas and a children's play area. The cafe and visitor centre was also enlarged and upgraded. 250,000 sunflowers were planted in the field that will eventually host the rainforest biome.
Chiswell Green
Chiswell Green is an area, originally a village, in St Albans, Hertfordshire with a population of approximately 2,800, in the City and District of St Albans.It is situated 2 miles south of St Albans on the North Orbital Road, close to Junction 21A of the M25....
, on the outskirts of St Albans
St Albans
St Albans is a city in southern Hertfordshire, England, around north of central London, which forms the main urban area of the City and District of St Albans. It is a historic market town, and is now a sought-after dormitory town within the London commuter belt...
in Hertfordshire
Hertfordshire
Hertfordshire is a ceremonial and non-metropolitan county in the East region of England. The county town is Hertford.The county is one of the Home Counties and lies inland, bordered by Greater London , Buckinghamshire , Bedfordshire , Cambridgeshire and...
, UK, dedicated to showcasing and promoting learning about butterflies
Lepidoptera
Lepidoptera is a large order of insects that includes moths and butterflies . It is one of the most widespread and widely recognizable insect orders in the world, encompassing moths and the three superfamilies of butterflies, skipper butterflies, and moth-butterflies...
.
Launch
The project was started by lepidopterist Clive Farrell, and was launched in 2008 at the Royal SocietyRoyal Society
The Royal Society of London for Improving Natural Knowledge, known simply as the Royal Society, is a learned society for science, and is possibly the oldest such society in existence. Founded in November 1660, it was granted a Royal Charter by King Charles II as the "Royal Society of London"...
in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
. Farrell secured a number of high-profile patrons for the scheme, including naturalist
Naturalist
Naturalist may refer to:* Practitioner of natural history* Conservationist* Advocate of naturalism * Naturalist , autobiography-See also:* The American Naturalist, periodical* Naturalism...
s Sir David Attenborough
David Attenborough
Sir David Frederick Attenborough OM, CH, CVO, CBE, FRS, FZS, FSA is a British broadcaster and naturalist. His career as the face and voice of natural history programmes has endured for more than 50 years...
and Professor David Bellamy
David Bellamy
David James Bellamy OBE is a British author, broadcaster, environmental campaigner and botanist. He has lived in County Durham since 1960.-Career:...
, gardener and broadcaster Alan Titchmarsh
Alan Titchmarsh
Alan Fred Titchmarsh, MBE DL is an English gardener, broadcaster and novelist. After working as a professional gardener and a garden journalist, he established himself as a media personality through appearances on gardening programmes...
, actress Emilia Fox
Emilia Fox
Emilia Rose Elizabeth Fox is an award-winning English actress, known for her role as Dr. Nikki Alexander on BBC crime drama Silent Witness, having joined the cast in 2004 following the departure of Amanda Burton. She also appears as Morgause in the BBC's Merlin beginning in the programme's second...
, and barrister and politician Baroness Helena Kennedy.
The site at Chiswell Green is adjacent to the Gardens of the Rose
Gardens of the Rose
The Royal National Rose Society Gardens are the headquarters of The Royal National Rose Society at Chiswell Green, near St Albans,Hertfordshire in the United Kingdom....
and construction has been underway since 2009. Four phases of development are planned with the final phase expected to be finished in autumn 2012.
Spring 2009
The site comprised a butterfly-shaped chalk garden, wildflower meadows designed to provide a habitat for butterflies, a shop, cafe and plant boutique.Spring 2010
In phase 2, a breeding centre was opened, together with an artificial lakeReservoir
A reservoir , artificial lake or dam is used to store water.Reservoirs may be created in river valleys by the construction of a dam or may be built by excavation in the ground or by conventional construction techniques such as brickwork or cast concrete.The term reservoir may also be used to...
in the shape of a chrysalis, a study centre, picnic areas and a children's play area. The cafe and visitor centre was also enlarged and upgraded. 250,000 sunflowers were planted in the field that will eventually host the rainforest biome.