Butterflies play a very important role in food production. Organizations like the Butterfly Conservation Initiative promote butterfly habitats. The organizations newest member is Caribbean Gardens: the Zoo in Naples. The national organization is dedicated to recovering endangered butterfly species and to prevent further declines in butterfly populations. Currently 23 butterfly species are listed as endangered or threatened. Director of conservation for the zoo, Tim Tetzlaff, believes a decline in butterfly population is a serious issue.

“Butterflies can be critically important to an eco system. They are phenomenal pollinators, in fact birds are the only things that pollinate more that butterflies, and when you get down to brass tax, pollinators are something we are desperately depended on for our food supply. It is estimated that one in every three bits of food we take is dependant on pollination.”

The initiative encourages its members to raise public awareness on butterfly conservation. Caribbean Gardens promotes creating Backyard Wildlife Habitats. People can get their homes, schools, or businesses certified by the National wildlife association as a Backyard Wildlife Habitat.