Butterflies are common and yet so vulnerable. What fascinates people about butterflies in Europe? And how can we create stories of hope in an era of butterfly decline? This is a special podcast episode paying a tribute to butterflies all over Europe and even in the US. Anthonie Stip from Dutch Butterfly Conservation spoke with 9 butterfly enthusiasts from 7 different countries, in april 2025 on the congress Future for Butterflies in Wageningen. What’s driving them to care for butterflies? What should everyone know about butterflies in their country? And how do we create a future for butterflies in a changing world? “We like to think on the big scale, but little things matter as well”, as Martin Warren tells in this episode. Listen to stories from Bulgaria, Denmark, Germany, Spain, The Netherlands, United Kingdom and the United States.

00:00 – 01:11 Introduction

01:11 – 05:55 Sam Ellis, United Kingdom

06:02 – 12:23 Berber Meulepas, The Netherlands

12:29 – 39:41 Zdravko Kolev, Bulgaria

39:46 – 46:15 Janika Kerner, Germany

46:21 – 54:45 Martin Warren, United Kingdom

54:51 – 59:02 Yolanda Melero, Spain

59:07- 01:05:09 Quiniver Tuinder, The Netherlands

01:05:15 – 01:20:21 Leslie Ries, United States

01:20:27 – 01:29:30 Anne Eskildsen, Denmark

01:29:31 – 01:30:34 Thank you for listening and final remarks (in Dutch)

Feedback on this episode is most welcome, you can find us on Bluesky (@toekomstvoornatuur.bsky.social) and Instagram (@toekomstvoornatuur) or send us an email via toekomstvoornatuur@vlinderstichting.nl.