Get back to nature with Gold Coast Butterflies
New Butterfly House opening soon !
Like our Face book Page or Instagram page for more information
Learn about the butterfly life cycle and see butterfly eggs, caterpillars and chrysalis that may hatch before your eyes.
Learn how to help with Butterfly Conservation in your own backyard.
Conservation & Education Services
BUTTERFLY CONSERVATION
Gold Coast Butterflies are passionate about Butterfly Conservation. Butterflies are important pollinators in our environment, but numbers are declining mainly due to loss of habitat and the use of pesticides.
We can all help by planting butterfly friendly plants in our gardens. These are Nectar Plants for adult butterflies and Host Plants for caterpillars.
Gold Coast Butterflies have many of these plants on display and available for purchase. Send us an email
We also have Butterfly Gardening Kits available containing all the information you need to get you started including nectar and host plant seeds.
Send an email to us for a Plant Order Form
goldcoastbutterflies@gmail.com
EDUCATION SERVICES
Gold Coast Butterflies provide Education Services available to Schools, Kindergartens, Child Care Centres, Home Schoolers, Aged Care and other groups.
We provide Incursions to Classrooms for the ‘Butterfly Presentation’. One of our experienced team visits your classroom to provide an engaging, informative 45-minute presentation on the Butterfly Life Cycle and their conservation, illustrated with visual materials, songs, fun facts, and the stars of the show: live butterfly eggs, caterpillars, chrysalides, and beautiful adult butterflies.
This Presentation is also available as an exclusive Excursion to the Butterfly House providing a unique experience with the Butterflies and caterpillars.
GOLD COAST REGIONAL BOTANICAL GARDENS
Gold Coast Butterflies conduct voluntary Butterfly Research on a weekly basis and free monthly guided tours as part of the Wildlife Group which is a branch of the Friends of the Gold Coast Botanic Gardens.
Josephine Romeo
Butterfly Lepidopterist
Conservationist & Educator
Josephine Romeo is a dedicated Butterfly Lepidopterist, Conservationist and Educator with over 20 years of hands-on experience in butterfly research, habitat restoration, species monitoring, and public education. Recognized as a subject matter expert in lepidopterology, with a strong record of contributing to biodiversity conservation through science-based initiatives and community engagement.
Career Achievements
• Butterfly Specialist Consultant Volunteer at Friends of the Gold Coast Botanical Gardens for the past 12 years. Volunteer duties include conducting regular research and observation of butterfly species in the Gardens planting for the reintroduction of endangered butterfly species, publication of research in scientific journals, and the development of butterfly-friendly garden programs adopted by multiple communities.
• Visited many schools and kindergartens, educating students about the butterfly lifecycle and the importance of planting native plants for our butterfly species and restricting the use of pesticides.
• Successfully designed and operated 2 Public Butterfly Houses for 7 years to educate visitors about butterfly conservation and how to plant a butterfly garden in your own backyard. to help save butterfly species from disappearing.. Also providing joy for NDIS/disabled patients, grief support, aged care patients, homeschoolers and everyone of all ages.
• Increased native plant sales for volunteer organisations such as Regional Botanic Gardens and Native Plants Queensland.
• Developed educational materials, leading workshops, and collaborating with schools, environmental organizations, and government agencies to raise awareness of pollinator health and ecosystem balance. Media content for digital presentations.
• Successfully breeding butterflies to provide schools with Caterpillar Kits for students to watch the lifecycle of a butterfly in the classroom, butterfly releases, weddings, parties, Pop up Butterfly Houses, media events and Chrysalis Gift Nets to watch a butterfly hatch.
• Providing citizen science research for programs such as Climate Watch and inaturalist.
• Conducting very popular monthly Butterfly Tours at the GC Botanic Gardens for the past 10 years.
• Conservation initiatives to support the local ‘Richmond Birdwing Butterfly, endangered due to loss of habitat & exotic plant species.
• Designing and leading conservation programs that have successfully increased local butterfly populations and preserved habitats.
• Specialist knowledge about butterflies, caterpillars, bees and dragonflies.
• Passionate about inspiring the next generation of environmental wildlife warriors through immersive, hands-on learning experiences.
• Guest Speaker at many Community Events
o Annual Gardening Expo ‘Botanical Bazaar for the past 10 years
o Murwillimbah Museum
o Gold Coast Council Library
o Ipswich City Libraries
o Gardening Clubs
o Age Care Events
o Primary & High Schools
o Flower & Gardening Shows
o Many presentations at the Butterfly House and Corporate Events.
Media appearances
o Episode of ‘Totally Wild’, filmed at the Butterfly House at Carrara
o Many local news reports regarding local butterfly migrations
o Featured in ‘Weekender’ program to promote SE Qld attractions
o Location for footage in local production Feature Movie & Documentary
o Based on location with butterflies for advertising campaigns.
Notable Achievements
o Featured in local Community publications for Conservation efforts
o Make a Wish Foundation for providing butterfly experiences for patients
o Winner of GC Amateur Video Club https://youtu.be/EYkc2ile3ew
o Hosting Butterfly Art workshops and competitions to support local artists.
o Hosting Photography Competitions with local Photographer groups.
o Published Butterfly Field Guide with Host Plant identification for GC Botancial Gardens.
o Supporting local charities and schools with plants and free vouchers.
Gold Coast Butterflies Video Content
Brisbane Kids Magazine and Website review https://www.brisbanekids.com.au/gold-coast-butterflies-gaven/
Must do Brisbane http://www.mustdobrisbane.com/kids-outdoors-animals-other/gold-coast-butterflies-hobby-farm
https://youtu.be/s0wDlcE2QNQ
https://youtu.be/Hu5vtySdeo8
https://youtu.be/65-H_mgucOk
https://youtu.be/ocxkyazOCRc
Channel 9
https://youtu.be/t1QDG1z9GuU
Herald Sun
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/national/gold-coast-enthusiast-says-butterflies-blown-in-from-great-dividing-range/news-story/7579278a9b1b7b2fbeb75a99d14659c2
Channel 7
https://www.facebook.com/7NewsGoldCoast/videos/butterfly-invasion/1060948907337130/
Online campaign
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LzFVZ4Tqu2w
JOIN US ON INSTAGRAM
