Within the conservancy, butterflies live year-round in a climate-controlled environment. The U.S. Department of Agriculture requires that butterfly breeding be limited to naturally occurring North American species, and in this way the life cycle of the butterfly would be natural and continuous. If an exception could be granted by the Department of Agriculture, the conservancy would include butterflies native to all 92 countries with victims of the attacks.

The conservancy would also contain within it a space for the unidentified remains of the victims from the World Trade Center site.

In order to maintain the openness, directness, and delicacy of the memorial space, the interior of the butterfly conservancy would be inaccessible to the general public except for the days set aside to memorialize this event – September 11. Families of victims would have access to the interior throughout the year.
illustration of conservancy during public event
world trade center site september 11 competition project.

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Aaron McDonald Architect, 1 Union Square West 903, New York, New York 10003