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The �첥��Ƶ is excited to welcome the “Flight of Butterflies,” an expansive citywide public installation art experience, in 16 of the �첥��Ƶ’s environmentally diverse natural areas, starting August 23, 2024. 

Sixteen of the butterfly sculptures that have been on display at the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum since April 2024, will migrate into Chicago’s neighborhood natural areas, and call these designated areas rich with native plantings home until September 2025. The Park District will feature these works of art prominently in Chicago’s parks in partnership with the Nature Museum to further expose the public to their beauty and bring attention to the importance of the conservation of our native landscapes and the survival of butterflies and pollinators in our natural urban habitats.

“We are thrilled to nourish our public art collection with 16 art pieces that will inspire exploration of our thriving natural areas, and bring awareness to our team’s conservation efforts that allow for these pollinators to thrive in our urban landscapes,” said Rosa Escareño, �첥��Ƶ Superintendent & CEO. “This partnership with the Nature Museum highlights the talent of local arts groups and underlines the importance of our collaborative efforts to teach future generations about their role in the survival of our shared environment.”

“The Nature Museum could not be more excited to see this exhibit take flight from our backyard in Lincoln Park into surrounding natural areas,” said Erin Amico, the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum President & CEO. “We invite the public to visit the Museum and learn more about the relationship between people and nature, and our vital conservation work and community science programs, and then to venture out to see and interact with these beautiful sculptures and real pollinators in natural areas citywide.”

Entrance to the natural areas is free and the public is invited to visit one or all of the butterfly sculptures, that stand up to six feet tall, and were each designed by renowned local artists and community groups. The butterfly frames adorned by local artists are based on regal fritillary and black swallowtail built of aluminum. Each butterfly is embedded in a unique natural setting and offers visitors a different experience. The backdrop for each of these sculptures varies from native habitat types, including prairies, savannas, woodlands, wetlands, and dunes. 

This citywide exhibit merges nature, art, and storytelling, and welcomes visitors into an immersive experience where an adventure to find the butterflies sculptures designed by local artists will briefly lead visitors away from the bustling city and bathe them with the sounds and sights of nature. Visitors can utilize the Flight of Butterflies interactive map to locate all the butterfly sculptures scattered throughout the city's natural areas.

The native plants in each of these natural areas provide a vital habitat for local wildlife and for species passing through during their annual migrations, including butterflies. A mix of flowering plants with different bloom times is especially important to provide food for pollinators such as birds, butterflies, bees, and other insects. While natural areas are critical for wildlife, they also play a vital role in improving the health and wellbeing of people and communities. The Park District is home to nearly 2,000 acres of natural areas that are maintained and conserved to protect our living environment and provide spaces for species to survive and thrive in our urban landscape.

For more information about the exhibit’s participating artists, the natural areas where they are located, and the inspiration for each sculpture, visit .

We encourage visitors to tag the �첥��Ƶ on social media or use the hashtag #FlightOfButterflies or #ChiParksNaturalAreas to let us know about their experience.

Visitors should also follow the Natural Areas rules and regulations when visiting to best preserve the natural landscape and protect the wildlife and natural elements found in these unique park spaces. For a complete set of rules, visitors may click here. 

Nature Programming & Stewardship in the Parks

As a part of the Park District’s Environmental Conservation and Engagement programs, the Outdoor and Environmental Education (OEE) team fosters awareness, appreciation, knowledge, and stewardship through nature-based programming offered to people of all ages. OEE programs include nature play, gardening, and camping, as well as eco-recreation activities such as paddling, fishing, climbing, and biking. Additionally, OEE staff manage operations and programming at three Nature Centers – Northerly Island Park, North Park Village Nature Center, and the Ford Calumet Environmental Center at Big Marsh Park. Learn more about these programs and parks, navigate here. 

There will be many nature-inspired events hosted at these sites, including Monarch Palooza on Saturday, August 24 at 10 a.m. at North Park Village Nature Center, where our guests will get to release butterflies into the wild. 

The Nature Oasis program is a core component of OEE’s work, and centers around connecting Chicago youth with our unique urban natural environment through activities such as the “Flight of Butterflies” outdoor exhibit, summer field trips, Community Bonfires, our signature Toddlers, Tunes & Turtles program, and the on-demand interactive “30 Days of Nature” video series.

Natural Area Stewards are essential to the sustainability of these natural spaces. To learn more about the volunteer Community Stewardship Program, click here.

Watch a recap of the "Flight of Butterflies" announcement: