|
Greetings!
We're so excited to say...The Butterflies are Back! Our Rosine Smith Sammons Butterfly House and Insectarium opens Sept. 12. More than 500 to 1,000 free-flying butterflies from South Texas are now in the butterfly house. You'll get to enter on the second floor, meander down a spiral walkway, and see aquatic insects and fish up close through our new glass aquarium.
Don't miss our three seasonal exhibits on display during regular garden hours, and make sure you visit the 7.5 acres of organic gardens outside.
Get a sneak peek at the Butterfly House with this wonderful video on the Dallas Morning News website!
An administrative note: Phone extensions have changed with our brand new system. Please check our website for new extensions.
Happy Butterfly Viewing,
The staff at Texas Discovery Gardens
|
Photos by Janet Smith
September Events
Grand Opening Celebration of the
Rosine Smith Sammons Butterfly House and Insectarium
When: September 12 and 13, 2009 Time: 10 am to 5 pm both days
Cost: Half Priced Admission all weekend long!
$4 adults; $3 seniors; $2 children 3-11
Texas Discovery Gardens is proud to announce the grand opening of the Rosine Smith Sammons Butterfly House and Insectarium Sept. 12 and 13, 2009. A ribbon cutting Saturday at 9:45 am by WFAA's Gloria Campos will kick off the weekend and timed tickets to the Butterfly House will be sold starting at 10 am. Children's crafts by the Junior League of Dallas will entertain children both days. All weekend long, we will have performances by local entertainers, including the Lake Highlands Wildcat Wranglers, Mother Nature face painting, Chloe the Clown, Ronald McDonald, guitarist Rick Mabus, and John Rainone, butterfly balloon artist.
James French photography will be on hand to help families commemorate the occasion with $20 butterfly-themed portraits taken here at the Gardens. We'll have delicious food available for an outdoors picnic, including barbeque sandwiches from Sonny Bryan's Smokehouse. As our gift to you in honor of our grand opening, we are offering half priced admission Sept. 12 and 13! Regular admission to the butterfly house and gardens is $8 for adults; $6 for seniors and $4 for children ages 3 to 11. Admission to outdoor Gardens only is $4 for adults; $3 for seniors and $3 for children ages 3 to 11. Become a member and receive free garden admission all year long, plus invitations to members-only events and free vouchers to the butterfly house exhibit. We'd also like to give a big thanks to our wonderful sponsors for Grand Opening events, including Calloway's Nursery, Dallas Child Magazine, El Centro College, Half Price Books, Preservation Tree Services, Redwood Creek Wines, Southwest Airlines, Starbucks, Wendy Krispin Caterer and WRR 101.1 FM.
When: September 25 - October 18 Time: 10 am to 6 pm *extended hours
Cost: Look for our $2 off coupon in the State Fair Guide. Regular fair admission and parking applies. Take the new Green Line and forgo parking hassles! It opens Sept. 14. We'll have special presentations each week. See the schedule online here. And don't miss our three seasonal exhibits running in conjunction with the State Fair! Read on below... |
|
Photo by Andy Epps
Cocktail Reception Sept. 3 kicking off the grand opening celebration.
(L to R) Sheffie Kadane, council member; Barbara Hunt Crow, Board Chairwoman; Jerry R. Allen, council member; Melissa Martin, Executive Director, and Mayor Tom Leppert
Seasonal Exhibits
All exhibits are open daily during regular Garden hours
Global Swarming: Reflection and Exploration of Colony Collapse Disorder
When: Through January 3
Where would we be without pollinators in the natural world? How would this affect food production? Learn about Colony Collapse Disorder, a phenomenon affecting honeybees created by pesticides, introduced pathogens, viruses and possibly genetically modified foods, in this exhibit. Research is ongoing in this critical area. To illuminate this plight, Texas WAX/Dallas has created a group show called Global Swarming.
Pollination Partnerships of Texas
When: Through November 30
Sponsored by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, this exhibit will address the amazing plant and pollinator relationship, common Texas pollinators and the ecological services they provide, and what can be done to protect them. Unfortunately, there has been a decline in the numbers of certain kinds of pollinators and the native plants on which they depend.
Organic Couture: Classic and Sustainable
Ross Bennett
When: Through October 19
Dramatic fashion designs by Austin-based Ross Bennett explore the benefits of organic and natural fibers like cotton, hemp and bamboo. Learn how the Organic Certification process includes inspections of fields and facilities and testing of soil and water. As we become more environmentally aware, support and reliance on these "Certified Organic" products will grow.
A big thanks goes to El Centro College and its Fashion Marketing program for making the signage and helping with the set-up of the exhibit. Thanks also to our Fair Park neighbor, The Women's Museum, for providing mannequins for the exhibit. | |
