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Spend an hour at a living classroom in Miami learning how flower shapes and colors recruit specific pollinators, then design your own butterfly wing. Family-friendly and hands-on, this UF/IFAS workshop turns small patterns into teachable moments about adaptation and urban biodiversity.
Spend an hour at a living classroom in Miami learning how flower shapes and colors recruit specific pollinators, then design your own butterfly wing. Family-friendly and hands-on, this UF/IFAS workshop turns small patterns into teachable moments about adaptation and urban biodiversity.
Book with The Kampong - National Tropical Botanical Gardens
Verified experiences and guided adventures in the surrounding area.
Operated by The Kampong - National Tropical Botanical Gardens · Miami, Florida
At the edge of Miami’s modest urban grid sits a garden that invites close looking: the Patterns in Nature Workshop with UF/IFAS is held at 4013 Douglas Rd. Miami, FL 33133, where families and curious adults gather to study the small-scale geometry that structures life in subtropical landscapes. In a compact, hands-on hour led by Master Gardeners from the UF/IFAS Extension office, the focus is on butterfly wing patterns and the relationship between flower size, shape, color and the pollinators they attract. Participants design their own butterfly wing using supplied materials while learning how nectar guides, scale structure and color contrast evolved to influence pollinator behavior.
The workshop sits inside a living classroom of pollinator beds, native-flora beds and shady canopy where butterflies, hummingbirds and other insects are active in morning light. Key features to look for include concentrated pollinator plantings, close-up floral structures, and the microtextures of wing scales that produce iridescence and patterning. The session is family-friendly, open to children age five and up, limited to small groups (max 15) to keep the experience intimate and hands-on. Active NTBG members participate for free; non-members receive a modest discount.
What makes this program stand out in Miami’s outdoor recreation scene is its focus on pattern literacy rather than passive observation. Rather than simply watching butterflies, visitors map the signals plants use to recruit specific pollinators, then translate those signals into a tactile, visual project. That blend of natural history, visual art and citizen education is especially effective in South Florida, where subtropical plant communities support a dense mix of pollinator species and visible evolutionary strategies.
Practical details matter: arrive hydrated with sun and insect protection, bring a refillable water bottle and snacks, and plan for about an hour on site. Children must be accompanied by an adult, and the organizers ask visitors to avoid single-use plastics to reduce litter and protect pollinators. The workshop’s compact scale and local stewardship make it a great stop for visiting families, urban nature lovers and educators looking for curriculum-friendly field experiences.
Sessions include admission to the garden and all craft materials for designing a wing; participants leave with a finished paper wing and an eye for how color, symmetry and texture function in real ecosystems. The format suits families, classroom groups and adults curious about citizen science. Because groups are small, instructors can demonstrate simple observation tools and point out live examples in the garden beds, turning a short visit into a lasting lesson for visitors.
easy.
1 hour.
Minimal physical exertion required; suitable for families and visitors comfortable walking short distances on garden paths.
The program runs about one hour and includes instruction plus a hands-on wing-design activity.
Children must be accompanied by an adult; the workshop is appropriate for ages five and up.
The meeting point is 4013 Douglas Rd. Miami, FL 33133 as listed in the booking information.
Yes—admission and all materials for designing a butterfly wing are included in the session.
Accessibility information is not specified in the listing; contact the organizer via the booking link for details.
Pets are not recommended around pollinator plantings and craft areas; check with staff before bringing animals.
The program is led by Master Gardeners from the UF/IFAS Extension office and offers discounts or free participation for active NTBG members as noted by organizers.
Organizers encourage no single-use plastics and use small group sizes to minimize disturbance to pollinators and garden beds.
The Kampong — part of the National Tropical Botanical Gardens — is a historic tropical garden located in Miami, Florida on the shores of Biscayne Bay. The site preserves the Fairchild-Sweeney House and showcases the legacy of plant explorer David Fairchild through extensive exotic fruit trees, rare tropical species, and curated collections. Visitors can choose docent-led guided tours that highlight the estate’s history and plant collections, or self-guided tours that allow leisurely exploration with a provided map. The Kampong hosts a rotating schedule of hands-on workshops and classes set in the garden landscape. Offerings include cyanotype printing for fabric, community indigo dip workshops teaching Shibori resist dyeing, edible gardening programming presented with UF/IFAS (recommended for ages 12 and up), watercolor courses led by local artist Eileen Seitz, and all-levels yoga with Sam Reynolds. Forest bathing sessions guided by neuroscientist Karina Del Punta focus on sensory practices grounded in science; evening Moonrise Forest Bathing is offered under the full moon. Several specialty experiences such as macrophotography, ikebana, functional movement, and seasonal events invite creative engagement with plants and place. Cyanotype workshops note limited spaces to encourage advance booking. The Kampong combines plant conservation, education, and cultural programming on a historic estate, offering both structured interpretation and independent discovery for visitors interested in botany, art, sustainability, and Miami’s tropical landscape. Public programs emphasize hands-on learning, conservation-minded practices, seasonal plant highlights, and the site supports research, education, and community engagement for residents and visitors from Miami and beyond, with year-round programming and volunteer opportunities available.
Book with The Kampong - National Tropical Botanical Gardens