Duncan Jurman, 17, has been interested in caterpillars and butterflies since he was 4 years old. Many insects are threatened by habitat destruction, so in 2018, Duncan launched the Bring Butterflies Back initiative, educating thousands of students and creating a garden and vivarium at his school in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The garden has attracted 28 butterfly species so far, including two imperiled ones.
Q: What drew you to butterflies and caterpillars?
A: It started with caterpillars for me. There’s so much diversity and variety in them. They can camouflage, they come in different colors and shapes, and there are so many cool defense mechanisms.
Q: Why are butterflies so important?
A: Without butterflies, other species—birds, for example—are going to collapse, and then you get a total downfall of entire ecosystems. Butterflies also serve as one of the most important pollinators.
Q: What have you learned from organizing this project?
A: You can’t do everything yourself. You really have to build relationships. So much of what I’ve accomplished wouldn’t have been possible without community partners.
Q: How can other young people help butterflies?
A: One of the nice things about butterflies and caterpillars is just how easy it is to bring them to your yard. All it takes is one flower to start a garden. It makes such a huge impact, one plant at a time.
(This interview was edited and condensed for length and clarity.)