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Henry Doorly Zoo Undergoes Metamorphosis
By: J.D. Brewer

On May 17 the Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo opened its new 14,000 square foot Butterfly and Insect Pavilion. Nestled comfortably into a slight hill between the Scott Aquarium and the Giraffe Complex and near the zoo’s main entrance, the new exhibit showcases exotic butterflies, moths, insects, and endangered amphibians. Small cages house tropical birds and the replicated Amazon pools and mountain waterfalls help create the sultry illusion that one is immersed in a tropical forest. The promenade snakes through the butterfly conservatory, air heavy with the sweet scent of flowers and fruit, around a large stilt root that raises mysteriously from the pond to the top of the tubular steel frame of the geometric structure that arc overhead like a giant spider web. Large windows allow plenty of natural light and inconspicuous heating vents hide behind the foliage and flowers to recreate the warmth of the natural habitat of the butterflies and other endangered creatures. Brass-like plates are positioned at frequent intervals along the path, mounted on pedestals about three feet high, the plates offer cut fruit—apples, oranges, and melons—like outstretched palms, the fruit entices the skittish winged celebrities to flight and show their magnificent colors. In addition to natural fruit nectar, butterflies like the sweet taste of man-made nectar, for example the director of the Butterfly and Insect Pavilion, Kay Klatt, and staff soak colorful sponges with purple Gatorade to temp the sweet loving insects.

Dr. Lee Simmons, director of the Henry Doorly Zoo notes that the zoo is licensed to import 900 species of butterflies from around the world including Malaysia, Indonesia, Costa Rica, and Africa. “Not only is conservation a goal,” says Dr. Simmons, “we also anticipate to increase the life span of the butterflies and moths. Although some moths live up to six months, most butterflies only live about two weeks in their natural habitat. We hope to double that.” Visitors moving from the Butterfly Conservatory pause patiently in a mirrored alcove to check for butterflies that may be clinging to an elbow or shoulder blade or perched inconspicuously in their hair like a living bow.

Butterflies arrive daily in their chrysalis or cocoon stage, packed carefully in cushioned boxes to protect them on their long journey to Omaha. Zoo staff gingerly removes the chrysalids and glues them to thin wires suspended from racks in the Chrysalis Hatching Room. At first glance, the rows of hanging pods have an eerie resemblance to a miniature bat colony. Visitors can view the orderly rows of dangling cocoons with excited expectation as newly formed butterflies and moths struggle through their final metamorphosis to free themselves and spread their colorful wings. The large glass window and well-lit room make it possible to see the chrysalis split open, usually along a number of joints and the “crumple-winged butterflies” emerge as adults. Dr. Simmons notes that when a butterfly carefully emerges and its wings are still folded and wrinkled from its recent arrival, “it must pump fluid from its body into the wings, expanding them quickly to full size. The butterfly then rests quietly for a few hours to allow the wings to dry and harden before attempting its initial flight.”

From the Chrysalis Hatching Room, curious viewers move into the Insect Zoo passing additional displays including a bee hive and locust colony. The Insect Zoo is an area comparable in size to the Butterfly Conservatory, but with the promenade winding between micro-habitats containing a variety of exotic and fearsome creatures. Spiders, scorpions, centipedes, roaches, beetles, and other interesting residents press their hairy multi-eyed faces to the glass or scurry about in their miniature environments as visitors walk along a path through the four foot high rock walls and exotic plants surrounding cages that house rare tropical hummingbirds.

The lower level houses a frog and amphibian breeding and rearing facility. Dr. Simmons calls the area the zoo’s “frog rescue room.” Dr. Simmons’ concerns for frogs and other amphibians are well founded, according to recent reports, climate change and habitat loss are threatening one-third of the world's species of frogs, toads, newts and salamanders. Science magazine reports that “1,856 of the known 5,743 species are ‘globally threatened’ in their forest, stream or underground homes.”

In addition to the frog rescue room, the lower level also includes a butterfly and insect rearing facility. Zoo staff cultivates the delicate creatures for display in the pavilion habitats. Inhabitants such as the particularly colorful tarantula, the Mexican Fireleg (Brachypelma boehmei) wait patiently in holding containers for transfer to their new home. Although visitors are not allowed in the lower rooms, large exterior windows permit viewing of these interesting activities from the Giraffe Observation Walk that circles the Butterfly and Insect Pavilion.

Admittance to the Butterfly and Insect Pavilion is free with regular zoo admission at $11 for adults (12 and older); $9.50, (senior citizens 62 and older); $7.25, (children 3 through 11); and free for children 2 and younger. Visit the butterflies during regular zoo hours from 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. daily. For more information on this remarkable addition to Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo visit www.omahazoo.com or call 402-733-8401.

Kids Encouraged to Catch the Reading Bug
By: 

Something special is happening June 28 at Westside High School, 87th and Pacific streets. Women from across Nebraska will gather to promote family values, women's causes, and local charities during the 2008 Mrs. Nebraska Pageant. The 7 p.m. competition features 14 contestants, one of which is Rena Herbert MA, Mrs. Offutt AFB.

Herbert’s interest in pageants started when she was 13 years old. She had a friend who was in pre-teen pageant competitions and being very intrigued, Rena would frequently attend. However, growing up in a military family, Herbert remembers her mother saying they didn’t have the money to enter pageants, but Herbert had always wanted to compete. In 2004 Herbert entered her first competition, the 2004 Mrs. Nebraska Pageant. She placed second runner up. In 2005, Herbert again entered the competition and earned the pageant’s Woman of the Year award.

“I have learned so much from the Mrs. Nebraska Organization,” Herbert said. “I realized that pageants are more than just about being beautiful. It is a vehicle used to support issues important to women.” As an entrepreneur, leader, inspirational and motivational speaker, Herbert believes that acquiring your dreams in the face of adversity is not impossible. “I’m passionate about young people’s issues because I’ve been there,” Herbert said. “I can be that example, that light at the end of the tunnel. I was a teen mother with a child who had over 10 brain surgeries. I understand what it’s like for a teen to have adversities that they feel they are facing alone.”

Dedicated to being a strong mentor to Nebraska’s women and youth, one of Herbert’s proudest achievements was incorporating the Young Women of Achievement Scholarship in 2004 for women who have gone through hardships in life. “I have seen strong young women strive to be the best they can be while making a difference in their community, and I want to reward them,” Herbert said. “The excitement I feel for Nebraska’s families and the Mrs. Nebraska pageant is overwhelming. With my scholarship fund, I am able to help others become the best they can be. I am incredibly grateful to God to have such a testimony in which to inspire others.”

“When I think about the tragedies at Columbine, Von Maur, and Virginia Tech,” Herbert said, “what I see is someone that probably didn’t have anyone to reach out to them. They probably didn’t have someone to tell them ‘I have endured rough times, but guess what, I went through the trenches and struggled and believed and dreamed and I made it.’ I want to create more role models – people that can say, ‘hey, I wasn’t perfect, but I educated myself. I didn’t become a statistic, and I’m where I’m at today because I planned, I dreamed, I did everything I could to accomplish my goals. I believe strongly the next Mrs. Nebraska should be someone who is passionate about lending their heart and their voice to discuss the issues our families and youth are plagued with.”

Originally from Georgia, 33-year-old Herbert is an advocate that Nebraska truly is ‘the good life.’ “I graduated from Bellevue University with my Master’s in Business Management and currently I am pursuing my Doctorial in Educational Leadership," Herbert said. “These years have been both rewarding and adventurous.” Rena is the mother of two teenage girls, Iesha and Kayla, both age 16, and has been married to Tom for six years. In her profession Rena is a professor, realtor, actor, model, and motivational speaker. Tom is a United States Air Force Active Duty Service Member and owns and operates HHC Corporation.

To learn more about the 2008 Mrs. Nebraska Pageant, visit www.mrs.nebraska.net. To learn more about Herbert, visit www.renaherbert.com.

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