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.
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The project was started by lepidopterist Clive Farrell, and was launched in 2008 at the Royal Society in London. Farrell secured a number of high-profile patrons for the scheme, including naturalists 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.
The Butterfly World site has been open to the public since 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.
In phase 2, a breeding centre was opened, together with an artificial lake 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.
Plans for the third phase of development include the opening of an exhibition about leafcutter ants and the expansion of the children's play area.
The final phase of development will see the construction of a 100-metre-wide rainforest biome, which will provide a habitat for butterflies as well as hummingbirds, insects, spiders and tropical plants. The biome will include a public walkway, caves and watercourses to explore.