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Press releases are provided to Yellow Scene Magazine. In an effort to keep our community informed, we publish some press releases in whole.
Contact: Katie Farnan, (720) 383-7269
High-resolution photos can be downloaded at this link (photo credit: Butterfly Pavilion / Hannah Hitchcock).
BROOMFIELD, Colo. — May 28, 2026 — Scientists from Butterfly Pavilion completed their first baseline survey yesterday along the Northwest Parkway’s southern right-of-way, advancing the pollinator corridor project that the two organizations announced in February 2026.
The surveys, conducted along approximately one mile of the Parkway in Broomfield, assess the pollinator species currently present at the site and evaluate existing habitat conditions, establishing a scientific foundation for the seeding and landscaping work to come later in the fall.
The May 27th survey was conducted by Butterfly Pavilion entomologists, who documented pollinator species to the lowest possible taxonomic level while also assessing the vegetation present and the general capacity of the site to support pollinator populations. A formal report will follow, with science-based recommendations for plant selection, placement, soil conditions, irrigation access, weed management, and long-term maintenance.
“What we observe in a baseline survey shapes everything that comes after it,” said Alex Han, EES Entomology Technician at Butterfly Pavilion. “By understanding which species are already using this corridor and what the habitat conditions look like today, we can make targeted recommendations that give pollinators the best chance of establishing and thriving here over time. This site has real potential, and the data will help us realize it.”
Pollinators are experiencing documented decline across North America, driven by habitat loss, chemical exposure, parasites, and disease. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, approximately 85 percent of the world’s flowering plants depend on pollinators to reproduce, and roughly one in three bites of food we eat exists because of pollinator activity. The Northwest Parkway’s corridor project is designed to address part of that habitat deficit by converting unused right-of-way land into functional pollinator habitat.
“The survey results are an important milestone, and we are grateful to have Butterfly Pavilion’s scientists guiding this work,” said Mathieu Lisbonis, CEO of the Northwest Parkway. “This stretch of land runs alongside thousands of daily commuters, and we want it to do more than look maintained. We want it to function as part of the local ecosystem. The science will help us do that properly.”
Northwest Parkway’s partnership with the Butterfly Pavilion is part of their vision to make transportation corridors as environmentally friendly and sustainable as possible. Both the Parkway and its parent company, VINCI Highways, are committed to these goals globally and are constantly finding new ways to engage with local community partners on the development of stewardship initiatives.
With the spring survey now complete, the next steps in the project include a fall survey of the same stretch, followed by seeding and landscaping guided by Butterfly Pavilion’s plant palette recommendations, maintenance training for Northwest Parkway staff, and recommendations for interpretive signage along the corridor.
High-resolution photos of the survey activities can be downloaded at this link (photo credit: Butterfly Pavilion / Hannah Hitchcock).
About Northwest Parkway
The Northwest Parkway links Broomfield to surrounding communities, including Lafayette, Superior, Boulder, Erie, Thornton, and Northglenn. Serving about 20,000 daily trips, it eases congestion and supports smart regional growth while respecting planned open space. The Parkway is operated under a concession agreement between the Northwest Parkway Public Highway Authority, composed of the municipalities of Broomfield and Lafayette, and VINCI Highways. Learn more at nwpky.com.
About VINCI Highways
VINCI Highways is a leading international roadway concessionaire and mobility services provider, managing a 2,330-mile network across 13 countries. By integrating design, financing, construction, operations, and tolling, we give public authorities the assurance of a single industrial partner able to deliver strong operational performance throughout the full life cycle of highway projects. As a long-term partner to the regions we serve, we are committed to safety, environmental progress, and economic development.
In the United States, VINCI Highways is active in six states with Northwest Parkway in Colorado, the Ohio River Bridges connecting Indiana and Kentucky, and tolling services in California, Texas, and Georgia through ViaPlus. Learn more at vinci-highways.com.
About Butterfly Pavilion
Butterfly Pavilion, established in 1995, is the first Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA)-accredited, stand-alone, non-profit invertebrate zoo in the world, located in Westminster, Colorado. Butterfly Pavilion’s mission is to foster an appreciation of invertebrates while educating the public about the need for conservation of threatened habitats in the tropics and around the world. Beyond Colorado and the United States, Butterfly Pavilion conservationists are doing important invertebrate research projects around the world, from Mongolia and Tanzania to Sumatra and Mexico. Learn more at butterflies.org.
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