For children, nature has a way of turning ordinary moments into unforgettable adventures.
A butterfly landing on a flower. The texture of tree bark beneath curious hands. The excitement of discovering a salamander beneath a log or filling a notebook with leaves collected along a trail. These small experiences often become the foundation for a lifelong appreciation of the world around us.
For more than 30 years, Butterflies for Kids has been creating those moments.
What began in 1995 as a one-acre Children’s Garden behind an Erie art gallery has grown into an organization dedicated to connecting children and families with nature through hands-on environmental education. Along the way, thousands of young people have explored local ecosystems, learned about freshwater conservation, discovered the importance of trees, and developed a deeper understanding of the role they play in protecting our environment.
That work continues to grow because of Erie Gives.
Support from Erie Gives helps Butterflies for Kids expand environmental programming throughout the region, giving more children opportunities to step away from screens and into the outdoors. Whether participating in scavenger hunts, creating nature journals, exploring watersheds, or learning about climate literacy through interactive activities, children are encouraged to ask questions, get their hands dirty, and see the natural world through a new lens.
One of the organization’s longest-standing partnerships is with Discover Presque Isle, where families gather each summer to participate in educational activities that transform learning into adventure. Children search for native tree species, create tree rubbings, explore local habitats, and discover how the environment around them works together to support life.
The impact extends far beyond one afternoon in the park.
Butterflies for Kids has also partnered with organizations like Perseus House, where teens play an active role in leading activities, mentoring younger participants, and learning responsibility through community service. During the holiday season, those same young people help deliver nature-themed books and activity guides to children spending the holidays in hospitals, bringing moments of joy and curiosity to families facing difficult circumstances.
Environmental education isn’t simply about teaching facts.
It’s about helping children develop a sense of wonder, responsibility, and connection to the place they call home. When a child understands why a tree matters, how clean water reaches Lake Erie, or why pollinators are important, they’re more likely to become adults who care for those resources in the future.
That is the lasting impact of Erie Gives.
By supporting organizations like Butterflies for Kids, our community is investing in the next generation of environmental stewards—young people who will grow up understanding that even the smallest acts of curiosity can lead to a lifetime of caring for the world around them.
This story is part of The Erie Community Foundation’s What Erie Gives Makes Possible series, celebrating the lasting impact of Erie Gives and the power of collective generosity across our community.