Eco days of JANUARY : 26 World Environmental Education Day | 28 World Climate Action
BUTTERFLY CAMPUS
Introduction
The Butterfly Campus initiative aims to transform school grounds into vibrant ecological sanctuaries that nurture biodiversity while enriching the learning environment for students. Supported through CSR funding and implemented by the iNaturewatch Foundation, this project brings free, fully developed butterfly gardens to schools, especially in regions where green spaces are limited or underdeveloped.
By planting a diverse palette of butterfly-friendly native species across each campus, the initiative strengthens urban ecosystems, improves air quality, and fosters a deeper bond between children and the natural world. These gardens become living classrooms where students explore pollination, ecology, climate sensitivity, and the delicate balance of the environment.
Through awareness workshops, student perception surveys, and hands-on plantation activities, the Butterfly Campus program aims to ignite curiosity, cultivate environmental stewardship, and build long-term conservation values among young learners. Beyond ecological gains, the project enhances student wellbeing, reduces stress, and transforms school spaces into hubs of creativity, joy, and observation.
This initiative is far more than just planting gardens… it is about inspiring the next generation to heal the land, understand biodiversity, and carry forward a culture of ecological responsibility. Rooted in the vision of more sustainable cities and empowered young citizens, Butterfly Campus contributes meaningfully to global environmental goals.
Schools nominated for the project are:
1. Jamrung Zilla Parishad School
2. Mechkarwadi Zilla Parishad School
3. Shree Balaji International School
Project Overview
Project Location: 10 Schools in and near Navi Mumbai
Project Duration: November 2025 to September 2026
Knowledge Partner: Ladybird Environmental Consulting LLP
Funding Agency: Publicis Groupe (CSR Support)
Project OutcomesEnvironmental Impact
- Increase in local butterfly diversity within school campuses.
- Improvement in micro-green cover through native plantation
- Healthier pollinator populations contributing to urban biodiversity
- Reduction in local pollution and enhancement of school air quality
- Reduced soil degradation and improved habitat value for insects and birds
Educational & Societal Impact
- Increased environmental awareness among students and teachers
- Hands-on conservation learning integrated into school culture
- Improved emotional wellbeing and reduced stress among students
- Strengthened community-school connection through volunteering
- Development of nature-positive behaviour in early learners.
Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
SDG 13: Climate ActionSDG 15: Life on Land
SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals
Project Interventions
Site Assessment and Ecological Planning
Native Plantation and Green Cover Enhancement
Site Assessment and Ecological Planning
Each school campus undergoes a baseline ecological assessment to understand space availability, soil condition, sunlight patterns, and existing vegetation. This ensures context-specific butterfly garden design and long-term ecological viability.
Development of Butterfly Habitats
Native Plantation and Green Cover Enhancement
Site Assessment and Ecological Planning
Dedicated butterfly gardens are created using native nectar plants and larval host species, supporting the complete butterfly life cycle and strengthening local pollinator networks within school environments.
Native Plantation and Green Cover Enhancement
Native Plantation and Green Cover Enhancement
Native Plantation and Green Cover Enhancement
A diverse palette of indigenous plant species is introduced to improve micro-green cover, enhance air quality, enrich soil health, and create supportive habitats for insects and birds.
Student-Centric Experiential Learning
Environmental Awareness and Capacity Building
Native Plantation and Green Cover Enhancement
Students actively participate in plantation activities and garden care, transforming school grounds into living classrooms and fostering early conservation values through hands-on learning.
Environmental Awareness and Capacity Building
Environmental Awareness and Capacity Building
Environmental Awareness and Capacity Building
Structured workshops and interactive sessions build awareness around biodiversity, pollination, climate sensitivity, and ecological balance, integrating sustainability thinking into everyday school life.
Monitoring, Wellbeing, and Impact Evaluation
Environmental Awareness and Capacity Building
Environmental Awareness and Capacity Building
Regular biodiversity observations and student perception surveys help track ecological outcomes and wellbeing benefits, ensuring measurable impact while nurturing a lasting connection between children and nature.
Project Updates
Don Bosco School, Nerul
We’re happy to share an exciting milestone from Don Bosco School, Nerul. The groundwork for our third Butterfly Campus Garden has been successfully completed, marking a key step in bringing this green space to life.
Alongside the site preparations, we conducted both Staff and Student Perception Surveys to understand their insights, expecta
We’re happy to share an exciting milestone from Don Bosco School, Nerul. The groundwork for our third Butterfly Campus Garden has been successfully completed, marking a key step in bringing this green space to life.
Alongside the site preparations, we conducted both Staff and Student Perception Surveys to understand their insights, expectations, and aspirations for the upcoming butterfly garden. The thoughtful responses and genuine enthusiasm reflected a strong sense of connection and collective ownership.
DAV Public School, Nerul
Our team visited DAV Public School, Nerul for a detailed site survey under the Butterfly Campus project, generously supported through CSR funding by Publicis Groupe.
The survey was designed to build a strong ecological foundation for the upcoming butterfly garden and included soil testing, noise level monitoring, AQI assessment, site meas
Our team visited DAV Public School, Nerul for a detailed site survey under the Butterfly Campus project, generously supported through CSR funding by Publicis Groupe.
The survey was designed to build a strong ecological foundation for the upcoming butterfly garden and included soil testing, noise level monitoring, AQI assessment, site measurements, along with butterfly and plant surveys.
During the visit, we also conducted a Student Perception Survey to understand students’ interests and expectations from the future garden. Their curiosity, excitement, and sense of ownership were deeply encouraging… a reminder that these spaces are not just ecological interventions, but living classrooms shaped by young minds.
Mechkarwadi Zilla Parishad School
Mechkarwadi Zilla Parishad School
Mechkarwadi Zilla Parishad School
We initiated the plantation activity for our second Butterfly Garden, supported by Publicis Groupe under the Butterfly Campus Project.
We extend our heartfelt thanks to Saath Saath Foundation for recommending the school.
The atmosphere on campus was heartwarming… children brimmed with curiosity and joy, eagerly waiting to join the plantatio
We initiated the plantation activity for our second Butterfly Garden, supported by Publicis Groupe under the Butterfly Campus Project.
We extend our heartfelt thanks to Saath Saath Foundation for recommending the school.
The atmosphere on campus was heartwarming… children brimmed with curiosity and joy, eagerly waiting to join the plantation.
What made the day even more special was the presence of eight enthusiastic parents who came forward to volunteer.
Together with teachers and students, they planted the first saplings of a garden that will soon welcome butterflies in vibrant colors.
Jamrung Zilla Parishad School
Mechkarwadi Zilla Parishad School
Mechkarwadi Zilla Parishad School
We kick-started the plantation activity at Jamrung Zilla Parishad School under our Butterfly Campus Project.
This marks the first garden out of the 10 being developed in collaboration with Publicis Groupe.
The day felt like a gentle beginning… nature taking root in a place of learning. With every sapling planted, we could sense the excitement building around what this space will soon become.