The Butterfly Sanctuary Certificate bestowed by the Florida Federation of Garden Clubs upon property owners who agree to refrain from using pesticides and to use their gardens to educate the public about butterflies and butterfly gardening. Thirty-five schools in District VIII have been certified as Butterfly Sanctuaries. Rehab hospital therapists find their butterfly garden to be a wonderful tool for working with children and adults alike. The North Tampa Garden Club was asked to help with a garden for abused children. Retirement homes also encourage butterfly gardens, places which may be visited even by those in wheel chairs.
Butterfly gardens provide therapy and joy for all ages.
A Boy Scout planted a garden to become an Eagle Scout. Girl Scouts planted gardens and gave programs for their Silver Award. Butterfly Sanctuary programs really help to spread the word about butterflies. When a restaurant with a butterfly garden advertised a butterfly program with lunch, people came from fifty miles around. The painted fence around the author's Butterfly Sanctuary shows more than 18 typical butterflies.