What is Wings of Hope, Inc.?

Wings of Hope began as a special program of the International Butterfly Breeders Association (IBBA) in 1999. Wings of Hope, Inc. became an independent charitable organization in 2006, but remains affiliated to the IBBA.

Wings of Hope is organized exclusively for charitable purposes.  The specific purpose of this organization is two-fold:

The first objective of the Wings of Hope program is to provide ceremonial butterfly releases and programs as a means of comfort and support to other groups (non profit or otherwise) and individuals who are facing difficult circumstances. It is designed to provide the opportunity for children, families, schools and other individuals and groups in crisis to encounter butterflies - and allow those butterflies to bring encouragement to those who need "lifting up" because of difficult life circumstances.  We are providing for a social program that benefits those who are in crisis and one that will also empower those groups to make a change for the better to our environment.    It is important to note that the ‘farming’ of butterflies leaves no ‘footprint’ on the earth.  Butterflies used in our program are produced on small butterfly farms with hundreds, perhaps thousands of host plants such as milkweed grown for this purpose.  Each plant that is used as food for the growing caterpillar is re-used when re-growth appears for the next generation of caterpillars.  In a proper butterfly garden, the entire life cycle of the butterfly takes place. 

We also hope to encourage and in some specific cases, require planting of butterfly habitat with seeds and assistance from Wings of Hope, Inc.  This will empower groups to make a difference in the climate and condition of our environment.  Through our program, we are protecting and restoring butterfly habitats everywhere possible.   Many recipients will  plant a living memorial in the form of a butterfly garden or other habitat to enable butterflies to flourish.   This special initiative of Wings of Hope will help to create butterfly habitats all around the globe.  We consider ourselves a ‘green’ association. Wings of Hope, Inc. partners with groups and individuals that we service to accomplish the following:

• Educate people about the fragile life cycle of the butterfly, beautiful creatures who have suffered a decline in their natural habitats for various reasons including pesticides and city and town development.
• Encourage individuals and groups we service to act in ways which will benefit butterflies and actively assist individuals, schools and other groups to create backyard, school, and community gardens to provide habitat for many species of butterflies;
• Promote our butterfly flower and host plant seeds’ program with specific information and personal assistance on how to create a butterfly habitat as a living memorial or to symbolize what is in their hearts and empower those groups to make a difference on their own;
• Recipients who participate in the Wings of Hope program will release butterflies and are encouraged to plant butterfly habitats.  Butterfly releases benefit our earth and mankind in many ways.  It connects us to the beauty of nature, increases pollination, increases new plant growth, and touches our hearts. 
• Growing host plants and nectar plants for butterfly habitats and restoration programs helps absorb carbon dioxide, commonly known as greenhouse gas, thereby reducing the pollution in the air, again helping to keep the earth green.
• Teach about  the importance of butterflies as pollinators.  Worker bees are considered to be very efficient pollinators.  However, many people don’t realize that there are many native flowers not pollinated by bees.  Only butterflies with their long proboscis can reach into the flower blossom deep enough to pollinate these species.  These particular plants and butterflies evolved over the eons to depend upon each other.  Unlike bees that are generally restricted to a local area, many butterflies are always on the move and can cross pollinate over a large area improving the genetic mix of genes of the plant community.