The count is organized every year by the Butterfly Foundation. All you have to do is keep track of which butterflies you see and how many for 15 minutes. On the website tuintelling.nl. Link opens an external page you can fill in how many butterflies and which species you have encountered.

Why are we doing this?

Butterflies are important for nature. They help pollinate flowers and are food for other animals. However, many species of butterflies have been declining for years. 2024 was even the worst butterfly year since the start of the butterfly count. By participating, you help researchers understand which butterflies are still present and where they occur.

Rotterdam Butterfly City

The Bioto Foundation received a grant last year via CityLab010. Link opens an external page. They are committed to butterflies with Rotterdam Butterfly City, among other things through butterfly gardens and Butterflies and their caterpillar routes. 

René van der Veer from Bioto: Along these routes, you will discover plants that are valuable for day butterflies and their caterpillars. Behind our urban nature lies a world of relationships between people, plants, and animals. Bioto shows how everyone can contribute in their own way.

Read more about what Rotterdam Butterfly City does and where the routes will soon be visible on the website: bioto.co. Link opens an external page.

Crafting Butterflies

At the Rotterdam childrens farms De Kooi (Lombardijen) and De Molenwei (Charlois), you can pick up a free butterfly card on July 11, 12, and 13 and discover which butterflies are flying around. On Saturday, July 12, children between 2:00 PM and 3:00 PM can craft their own butterfly in the cafeteria of De Kooi. Check the agenda of Natuurstad for more information.. Link opens an external page for more information.