About Inwood Butterfly Sanctuary

The Inwood Butterfly Sanctuary is a community-driven initiative at 630 Isham Street in Inwood, Manhattan. Originally focused on endangered species habitat restoration, the sanctuary has evolved into a thriving educational community serving K-5th grade students and families through hands-on gardening activities and monarch butterfly raising experiences.

Strategically positioned on a visible corner near two elementary schools, the sanctuary addresses the alarming decline of endangered monarch butterflies while fostering environmental stewardship. The program provides vital learning opportunities that support children's psychological and emotional health, particularly in financially disadvantaged communities.

Over five years, the sanctuary has achieved remarkable success: raising and releasing hundreds of monarch butterflies with community participation, developing dozens of urban pollinator gardens launched annually on Earth Day through seed ball events, and partnering with NYC Parks Department to establish the Isham Park Children's Butterfly Garden for local schools.

The initiative's "Wings Without Borders" project won the Community Engagement Climate and Sustainability category at the prestigious Anthem Awards. Media recognition includes features on PBS, Dynamic Planet, NY1 (named "New Yorkers of the Week"), and WNYC, highlighting the sanctuary's impact as a model for community-based conservation and environmental education.