Swallowtails are the most spectacular butterflies in the world, but also some of the most threatened!
World Swallowtail Day is a chance for us all to help save and protect them for future generations.
Take part in World Swallowtail Day and show that you care!
For details of the plans for 2020 click here.
WHAT WILL WE DO?
World Swallowtail Day was initiated by the Swallowtail and Birdwing Butterfly Trust to do two things:
- Get people of all ages closer to swallowtails by visiting them in their natural habitats, studying them in sustainably managed butterfly houses, botanical and zoological gardens, or by learning more about them in the company of experts in universities, schools, museums and research centres;
- Raise financial and volunteer support to help swallowtails in need both locally and globally.
World Swallowtail Day will be celebrated on or about the second Sunday in June every year. The second Sunday in June may not suit everyone, but if this is the case, just choose another day! The important thing is to join in!
WHAT IS THE CHALLENGE WE FACE?
Swallowtails are much-loved around the world, but far too many are now under threat, confined to fast-disappearing wild places as far apart as the fenlands of East Anglia and the rainforests of Jamaica. Climate change, deforestation, agriculture and pollution erode their habitats day by day.
Dozens of species continue to be hunted down in the wild, illegally exported and sold for high prices on the international market. Some, such as the Homerus Swallowtail are on the brink of extinction.
The Swallowtail and Birdwing Butterfly Trust is supporting conservation programmes in the UK, the Caribbean, Southeast Asia and Australia, but we need your help to create more local programmes and to support our international projects.
HOW CAN YOU TAKE PART?
Organisations with an interest in butterflies everywhere are joining World Swallowtail Day with events across the world. With the help of local champions and social media, we can raise awareness, adopt a local species, support an international goal and save the swallowtails!
WHAT WILL WE PROVIDE?
In support of World Swallowtail Day, the Swallowtail and Birdwing Butterfly Trust will provide all registered organisations with resources to help plan and execute their event. These resources may include things like banners, posters, information on swallowtails, their conservation needs and projects to support them. We can offer ideas about regional species in need that can be adapted to your local opportunities. We can also help by compiling and sharing media resources such as pass release materials, art, photographs, videos and posters. For educational purposes we can supply useful materials such as a colouring book of endangered butterflies to print and distribute locally and simplified explanatory materials.
All these materials will be free of copyright to all who register!
WHAT DO WE ASK FOR IN RETURN?
There is no charge for taking part in World Swallowtail Day. All we ask is that you organise an initiative or event to celebrate, reach out to as many people as possible and perhaps raise funds for a local project as well as international campaigns.
We invite you to register your event with the Swallowtail and Birdwing Butterfly Trust and mention our work in your campaign.
We will provide a prominent World Swallowtail Day area on our website www.sbbt.org.uk to contain information and reports on the events. Each year we will provide a report and would welcome up to 500 words plus two photos or a short video of your event to serve as a record and inspire others in years to come.
The Swallowtail and Birdwing Butterfly Trust, UK charity number 1174142, aims to conserve and protect members of the Papilionidae, a worldwide family of more than 560 species. We achieve this by raising financial resources, convening networks and partnerships, catalysing action and providing scientific and technical support to conservation projects. For more information see our website www.sbbt.org.uk and sign up for our newsletter Papilio!
