Butterfly House Volunteer

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Located in Dallas' historic Fair Park, Texas Discovery Gardens is a year-round organically maintained urban oasis filled with natural wonders. We have 7.5 acres featuring native and adapted plants, as well as a climate controlled Rosine Smith Sammons Butterfly House and Insectarium, featuring tropical butterflies.

Family festivals, free admission days, and our extensive (and growing) EarthKeepers(r) student education program introduce children and adults to natural outdoor learning experiences.

We are the first public garden in the state of Texas to be certified 100% organic by the Texas Organic Research Center. The gardens are maintained using sustainable methods that conserve water and help to protect the environment.

At family events offered throughout the year, children and parents can share the experience of being amazed and inspired by nature's intricate web of life. Gardening workshops and guided tours provide expert advice on using native and adapted plants to create backyard habitats for butterflies, birds and other native wildlife.

At Texas Discovery Gardens, discover a wealth of information on ways to restore, conserve and preserve natural environments in urban areas.

BUTTERFLY HOUSE VOLUNTEER

VOLUNTEER DUTIES
o Demonstrate a positive, fun environment for guests
o Provide information about the butterflies (training provided) and monitoring traffic flow in the Butterfly House
o Assist Entomology staff (a.k.a our bug experts!) as needed with tasks in the Butterfly House

YOU ARE IMPORTANT!
By law (USDA-APHIS permit), we are required to have a docent at each entry/exit point of the Butterfly House. We may get a visit from the USDA during the Fair. If we do not have these points covered, we will get fined.

THIS IS A GOOD FIT IF YOU...
o Are outgoing and willing to talk to guests about the butterflies.
o Are knowledgeable and/or willing to learn about butterflies from other docents and staff.
o Are studying entomology, zoology, or horticulture (we do have unpaid internships available) (not required!)
o Are able to be on your feet (there are chairs if needed) in controlled heat (mid 80’s) and high humidity.
o Can gently yet firmly enforce rules if necessary.

THINGS TO REMEMBER
o "Let the butterflies come to us;" we don’t go to the butterflies! Butterflies are curious and will fly close enough to smell us. Remind guests that we never try to catch the butterflies or touch them with our fingers.
o "Use careful, walking feet." Butterflies like to sit with their wings spread open, catching sunshine. If we don’t walk carefully, we might accidentally step on a butterfly.
o "Keep hands to ourselves;"do not pick the flowers. Butterflies eat fruit and nectar, but only living flowers make nectar. If we pick the flower, it won’t make any more nectar!