Residents of Butterfly Kingdom will have plenty of room to stretch their wings and fly within a 75-foot-tall, 13,000-square-foot, glass greenhouse conservatory - shaped like a butterfly.

Set to open in 2002 near I-95 Exit 8, the main structure also will house a 1,200-square-foot laboratory, a 3,500-square foot learning center and a museum.

Texlon, a translucent material, will be used atop the conservatory to allow more light and ultraviolet radiation inside for butterfly and plant health, according to conservatory Director Edward Spevak.

A temperature of 80 degrees, and 70 percent to 80 percent humidity, will be maintained in the conservatory to stimulate activity.

Virtual tour

Visitors will start their tour on the conservatory's second floor, in the insect museum and learning center.

The museum will answer the questions: "What are insects?" and "What are butterflies and moths?"

"We want to talk about the relationships these animals have with us, and their importance, such as (their role as) pollinators," Spevak said.

Computers, microscopes and other interactive displays, as well as an 80-seat theater/classroom with guest speakers, demonstrations and films will help adults and children learn.

Visitors will enter a vestibule, where staff members will introduce them to Butterfly Kingdom before they enter the exhibit by walking under a waterfall. Signs and audio tapes will guide people along the tour route.

Three habitats will be represented: South American and Asian rainforests in the upper wings, an African grassland, or savannah, and an American desert in the lower wings.

Tropical trees 30-40 feet high, remnants of an old temple and an upper walkway giving visitors a view above the tree canopy will be part of the rainforest exhibits. Butterfly species that prefer shade to sunlight likely will inhabit this area.

Rainforests and grasslands will be separated by a fallen tree. Visitors who open sections of the tree will see beetles, scorpions and tarantulas among others.

Insects in the conservatory will be confined to specific areas.

Butterflies will be able to interact with visitors along conservatory pathways. Some birds and fish also will be part of the exhibit.

Grasslands will be more open with many flowers, making them a popular hangout for the butterflies, Spevak said.

A bridge will lead from the grasslands across a small pond (with underwater viewers for waterbound insects) and into the desert exhibit.

Desert cactus and other plant life and Indian pictograms on rock faces will distinguish the American desert portion of the conservatory.

Leaving the desert through the face of a cliff, visitors will enter an insect and moth exhibit. The final stop on the tour, it will focus on night insects - moths, fireflies, wolf spiders and crickets.

Visitors also will be able to watch and ask questions of researchers studying butterflies and other insects behind glass.

"(In) most butterfly houses, it's an experience, but not an educational experience," said Spevak. "Here we want you to experience being one with the butterflies, but learn something, too."

Research facility

The University of South Carolina, as well as Clemson, Georgia and Michigan State universities, and the University of Florida will do research at the INSTAR (Invertebrate Science, Teaching and Research) Center, a nonprofit partner organization of Butterfly Kingdom devoted to advancing environmental education, scientific investigation and conservation of invertebrates.

"Studying how our environment (the conservatory) is changing could alert us to changes which could affect our health in the future," said Jaret Daniels, curator of butterflies.

In addition to world-class researchers and graduate students exploring the insect world, area school classes will be guided through the exhibit, and experts will visit area schools to supplement science education classes.

"There is a strong education and research component (to Butterfly Kingdom)," said Daniels.

Icing on the cake

Butterfly Kingdom's primary purpose is education, but the conservatory and research facility has other partners that will aim to entertain.

A 400-seat IMAX 3-D Theater with a 70-foot-high screen and Dolby surround sound will offer nature, adventure and educational movies. The IMAX building will encompass more than 83,000 square feet.

Botanical gardens will feature walking paths through 15 acres of outdoor gardens filled with flowers and plants from five continents. Fountains, educational gardens, reflecting pools, lakes, picnic areas and playgrounds are planned.

Butterfly Kingdom ultimately will include a water and surf park with waterslides and a wave pool; a golf driving range, mini-golf courses and an indoor roller skating rink for skating, hockey and dancing.

Two hotels, two theme restaurants and a boutique retail village also are planned. One of the restaurants will be built near a lake, with an observation/dining deck.

Butterfly Kingdom currently offers EcoTours, international tours letting enthusiasts see insects in their natural habitat. Future trips are planned to Costa Rica and the Amazon.

"Its a rather extraordinary vision, a vision based on doing something constructive in the community - education - but the entertainment component makes it fun," said project consultant Bill Brewer.

Can't wait

At least one future Butterfly Kingdom patron can't wait for the facility to open.

Steve Mix, butterfly enthusiast and owner of the Butterfly Shop on Bay Street in Beaufort, has visited butterfly conservatories in Atlanta, Chicago and Florida and can't wait to see the one in Jasper.

Mix became interested in butterflies at camp when he was 8, and the fascination grew into a butterfly–focused business.

"I'm very excited about it," he said. "I believe that type of business is good for the Lowcountry."