March Break at Space for Life - A Rally at the Biodôme and Thousands of Butterflies at the Botanical Garden!

MONTREAL, Jan. 30, 2013 /CNW Telbec/ - Does it feel like winter is dragging its heels? For March Break this year (March 2-10, 2013), Space for Life has dreamt up some fun-filled, interesting and even magical activities for the whole family! Slip behind the scenes to discover the Biodôme's thousand and one secrets: the Behind-the-Scenes Rally offers a surprise-filled journey into the diverse activities that are so crucial to ensuring our ecosystems and their inhabitants remain healthy. On March 2, come take part in the Nuit blanche à Montréal celebrations at the Pôle Parc olympique: you'll be swept into the larger-than-life adventures taking place both inside and outside the Biodôme! And for a bold splash of warmth and colour, don't miss the Butterflies Go Free event in the Botanical Garden's Main Exhibition Greenhouse. Over 2,000 beautiful butterflies from around the world will welcome you into their sanctuary, where the Monarch will be centre stage!

And all this Behind-the-Scenes
Having five ecosystems with such dramatically different needs and requirements all under the same roof is quite the undertaking! Five different climates, ranging from tropical to polar; diverse habitats with their own special features, such as palm trees or rocky cliffs; a huge seawater basin; 4,500 animals from 250 different species, and 500 plant species, every single one of which has unique needs that must be met in order for them to thrive and stay healthy! The Biodôme's Behind-the-Scenes Rally will take you on a trek to discover just what it takes to create and maintain this "House of Life!" How do we care for all these plants and animals? How do we look after them to ensure they survive? You'll see how the ecosystem rocks and landscapes are designed, and, in the vast underground areas, you can examine the sophisticated seawater filtration systems, the veterinary clinic, the animal kitchen, and the insect-breeding area. It's the Biodôme as you've never seen it!

A Universe of Monarchs
For a touch of the exotic, Butterflies Go Free at the Botanical Garden promises some amazing encounters! Come to the main greenhouse to admire the colourful spectacle of extraordinary lepidopteran species from the Americas, Africa and Asia! The Insectarium staff will be on hand to provide you with loads of information on the species on display. You'll learn everything there is to know about the Monarch and about how to plant a butterfly garden to help ensure its survival!

A Nuit blanche at the Pôle Parc olympique!
At 5 p.m. sharp on March 2, 2013, the Nuit blanche à Montréal will kickoff celebrations on an even larger and more lively site, accessible from both Pie-IX and Viau metro stations. This year, Esplanade Financière Sun Life and Rio Tinto Alcan Planetarium are teaming up with the Biodôme and the Montreal Tower. Along with the popular old classics, we've planned some new indoor and outdoor activities. The program schedule will be announced on February 12—Stay tuned!

The Behind-the-Scenes Rally: March 2 to 10, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Behind-the-Scenes access: from 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Nuit blanche à Montréal at the Pôle Parc olympique: March 2, from 5 p.m. to 2 a.m.
Butterflies Go Free runs until April 28.

For complete program details go to: espacepourlavie.ca

Montréal Space for Life, the first space in the world dedicated to humankind and nature, brings together the Montréal Biodôme, Botanical Garden, Insectarium and Planetarium. Together they are committed to safeguarding and showcasing biodiversity and invite people from Canada and around the world to join in this bold, creative urban movement.  

SOURCE: Espace pour la vie

For further information:

Nadine Fortin, Communications Co-ordinator
514 868-3053/514 250-7753
[e-mail] 

Karine Jalbert, Communications Co-ordinator
514 872-1453/ 514 250-3230
[e-mail]