Welcome
Welcome to the Northern Ireland Branch of Butterfly Conservation, which was first formed in 1988 and currently has more than 300 members.
If you live in the region and are a member of Butterfly Conservation you automatically become a member of the Northern Ireland branch.
Northern Ireland is home to around 1000 species of moth and 25 species of butterfly, with almost half of these being priority species.
One of these, the Cryptic Wood White (thought to be Real's Wood White until recent research proved it to be a new species entirely) is only found in Northern Ireland. Craigavon Lakes Local Nature Reserve in County Armagh is the very best place to visit to see this butterfly on the wing during May and June.
Species to look out for
Get involved
Volunteering
Volunteers are hugely important to Butterfly Conservation. Getting involved with surveying and monitoring butterfly and moth species in your garden or out in the wider landscape directly helps inform our work and projects.
Branch events
Butterfly Conservation Northern Ireland’s Branch run events throughout the year, mirroring the season that’s in it. From summer field trips, winter talks and lectures to practical conservation, the varied and interesting programme is worth investigating and everyone is welcome.
Do it yourself
There is an awful lot that you can do yourself, or with your friends and family for butterflies, moths and the environment. Starting at home, in your community or workplace makes your practice more sustainable in every sense and your projects are more likely to succeed too.
Find out more
News
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Get creative for nature for a chance to win!
Do you love nature and want to make sure it’s protected? Enter our competition to design a banner for the Restore Nature Now demonstration in London.
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Treasure hunters wanted to help find one of the rarest jewels in Northern Ireland wildlife
Nature lovers asked to get photos of beautiful ‘colour-changing’ moth.
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Gardeners back less frequent lawn mowing, poll finds, as ‘No Mow May’ begins
Almost half of gardeners do not plan to mow their lawn more than once in May, a survey suggests, as Plantlife’s annual campaign to boost nature in gardens kicks off.
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The Butterfly Conservation Craft Club returns: Inky Butterflies with Kate Moby
Join us online on Saturday 1 June at 10am where we will be joined by the incredible artist Kate Moby for the return of Butterfly Conservation’s online craft club.
Events
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Cryptic Wood White and other Whites ID and Survey Workshop: Online Event
Tuesday 7th May 2024, 12:30pm-1:15am
Online
Join us for the first in a series of weekly species information/ID workshops! The first on our list is the famous Cryptic Wood White Butterfly as well as the other 'whites'.
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Dingy Skipper Priority Species – ID and target survey appeal for Fermanagh workshop: Online Event
Tuesday 14th May 2024, 12:30pm-1:15pm
Online
Join us for our second weekly species information/ID workshop! Our next species is the Dingy Skipper.
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Large Heath Workshop
Wednesday 15th May 2024, 10:00am-2:00pm
An Creagan Centre
BC in partnership with Ulster Wildlife will deliver a workshop on the priority Large Heath covering its ecology, habitat requirements, monitoring including how to set-up a single species transect.
Volunteer with us
Butterfly Conservation relies on the support of thousands of volunteers, and we are always looking for more help inside the office and out in the field. Whether you want to volunteer at a local branch, get outside and help manage our nature reserves, or help with one of our events, we have something for everyone to get involved in! Your time can make a real difference.
Branch information
In your area
Contact branch
- Chairman
Adam Mantell - Branch Contact & Membership Secretary
Hannah Fullerton - Treasurer
Cliff Henry - General Enquiries
@email