MISSOULA – Missoula’s Butterfly House and Insectarium was buzzing with Russell Elementary second grade students on Tuesday.
As temperatures warm and insects become more active, the Insectarium follows suit with a large volume of school and group field trips.
Development Director Glenn Marangelo says their goal is for kids and adults alike to have a better appreciation for the wide variety of insects and anthropods in western Montana and around the state.
This is the last year the Insectarium will offer field trips at their current location on Front Street as a metamorphosis to a planned new facility is currently in the works.
“The new facility is going to be amazing, it’s the dream that started this organization years ago. It will be a 2,500 square foot walk-in tropical butterfly house,” Marangelo said.
“So a little bigger than the exhibit we have here with butterflies. About 2,000 square feet of insect exhibits. We will offer a much wider range of education offerings and programs to the public,” he added.
Marangelo says the new facility, which will be located at the Missoula County Fairgrounds, has a target date opening of late 2021. The building will be shared with the Missoula County Weed District and Extension Office.
-Russ Thomas reporting for MTN News
