Butterfly Conservation

Latest News

Call on the Government to take urgent action

Butterfly Conservation is a UK charity dedicated to saving butterflies and moths. Every summer, our Big Butterfly Count – the biggest citizen science project of its kind in the world – collects data on butterfly numbers and locations to help assess the health of our environment.

Following a record low for butterflies this year, Butterfly Conservation has declared a Butterfly Emergency. Years of habitat destruction and fragmentation, climate breakdown and pesticide use have taken their toll. 80% of butterflies in the UK have declined since the 1970s. Help us take immediate action before it’s too late. https://butterfly-conservation.org/emergency

The Big Butterfly Count is here!

The Big Butterfly Count is the annual UK-wide survey that helps Butterfly Conservation assess the health of our environment simply by counting the amount and type of butterflies (and some day-flying moths) you see.

Wet weather and low temperatures have meant very low numbers of butterflies have been recorded so far in the Big Butterfly Count. On average participants have seen just over half the number of butterflies they spotted this time last year.

The unusually wet and windy spring, coupled with the colder than usual temperatures so far this summer could be contributing to the lack of butterflies. While there is a chance of a later emergence of the insects if there is a prolonged sunny spell, numbers are currently the lowest recorded in the 14-year history of Butterfly Conservation’s Big Butterfly Count.

Until 4^th August you can log your sightings and join the biggest citizen science event of its kind. Join in here: https://bigbutterflycount.butterfly-conservation.org/

Thank you for supporting Butterfly Conservation!

Many thanks to our supporters for their continuing support for our cause - every time you make a contribution we can continue our vital efforts to drive progress towards a world where butterflies and moths can thrive.

In the coming months we'll be launching our annual Big Butterfly Count, which takes place in July, and encouraging members of the public to register their Wild Spaces - anywhere that butterflies and moths can feed and breed.

We also have a new Corporate Fundraising Manager on the team - Sarah Davies will now be your main contact for corporate support - reach her via: corporate@butterfly-conservation.org

About us

Our vision is a world where butterflies and moths thrive, and can be enjoyed by everyone, everywhere.

We know nature is in crisis. Encounters with butterflies and moths are now infrequent for many people, but it doesn’t have to be this way. We are taking bold, imaginative steps to conserve our butterflies and moths. We will help to restore biodiversity, mitigate the climate crisis, and start to rebuild the vital kinship between people and the natural world.

We cannot do this alone: with your help we will inspire more people from diverse backgrounds to be champions for nature, we will recover nature across whole landscapes, we will create space for nature where people live and work.

Butterfly Conservation have more than 40,000 members in the UK and 32 volunteer-run Branches throughout the British Isles. We employ over 80 people, including many highly qualified scientists, making us the world's largest research institute for butterflies and moths. We operate 29 nature reserves, and we are leading or involved in over 70 landscape-scale projects to conserve habitats. Our volunteers are exceptionally dedicated people. Each year over 20,000 volunteers give their time to saving butterflies and moths. It’s the equivalent of hiring an additional 1,400 full time members of staff.