Encinitas Butterfly Aviary Closing June 23, Relocating to Vista

The Monarch Program, which for 21 years has raised almost a dozen species of butterflies in a space in Encinitas, is closing on June 23.

But butterfly enthusiasts should not fret. It will relocate to a larger facility, offering a state-of-the-art education center in Vista, which will help founder David Marriott be able to better serve the groups of students that come to see his winged beauties. 

The new space will also feature a larger hatchery and garden area. 

“I just can’t wait to get over to the new location. It’s really exciting what we’ll be doing there and the potential for growth is enormous,” Marriott, 61, told U-T San Diego. 

The aviary's current location on Ocean Avenue is slowly decaying, with part of the roof having collapsed. Though Marriott was given the space rent free in 1990, the 1,200 square-feet in a residential neighborhood have made parking an issue for groups coming to see the butterflies. 

Additionally, tall trees that have grown up around the property over the last 21 years are now blocking much of the natural sunlight to the rooftop greenhouse, according to the newspaper.

“When we opened this back in the ‘90s, it was really something. People loved it. They’d never seen anything like it,” Marriott said. “But it’s gotten old and funky.”

The Monarch Program will become part of a new five-acre plant nursery in Vista that will feature an art studio, a farm stand, and a hydroponic greenhouse. 

Marriott told U-T San Diego that he will always have fond memories of his time in Encinitas. 

“This has been a great location for us for a very long time, but it’s time to go,” he said. “We need to be more contemporary and have more activities and this is a great opportunity for us.”