Celebrating the Beauty of Butterflies—and Beyond
For generations, the Scherzinger family has been synonymous with dedication, community and a love of nature. Their legacy of giving is evident in their long-term support of the Krohn Conservatory’s annual Butterfly Show, a time-honored event that attracts thousands of visitors each year.
ScherZinger Pest Control is now in its fourth generation of family leadership, with brothers Kurt, President, and Eric, Vice President of Procurement and Marketing, at the helm. The brothers reflect on the importance of their family commitment to Cincinnati Parks.
The Commitment to Environmental Stewardship
In their 25 plus years of support, the Scherzinger family not only helped establish the Scherzinger Butterfly Garden at Eden Park and sponsored the annual Butterfly Show at the Krohn Conservatory, but family members and ScherZinger employees also volunteer each year at the annual show.
Kurt reflects on their journey: “My dad initially partnered with Cincinnati Parks. Our business has deep roots here, spanning 90 years, and supporting the community has always been a core value for us. Originally, our involvement was with the parks in general. The idea naturally grew into sponsoring the Butterfly Show, which has now become a tradition. I still vividly remember the early shows held outside, in a small butterfly garden beside Krohn Conservatory. We even have photos on a petrified piece of wood from those early days when I was a kid.”
Annual Commitment and Community Involvement
“We started participating in the Mayor’s Corporate Challenge,” Kurt explains, “and now, every year on the Saturday of that week, we bring 20-30 employees and their families to plant the Scherzinger Butterfly Garden at Eden Park. Our first project was at Mirror Lake in Eden Park, and when the Parks suggested the Scherzinger Butterfly Garden, it perfectly aligned with our mission to educate people about the importance of beneficial insects.”
Reflecting on past experiences, Kurt fondly recalls, “In the past, our company would take over volunteering for the Butterfly Shows. We had a hard time finding time for everyone who wanted to volunteer. I remember being at the entry and exit doors with my kid in the baby carrier. Those were such fun times!”
Motivation Behind Legacy Giving
“We support the parks and sponsor the Butterfly Show at Krohn Conservatory because we want to give back to the community that has supported us,” Kurt emphasizes. “It’s our way of promoting environmental awareness and making sure that we maintain our park system that is an immense asset in a highly urbanized area like Cincinnati.”
Future Plans and Family Traditions
Looking ahead, Kurt shares their future plans: “We will continue to support Krohn Conservatory, not just financially, but also through volunteerism and sharing our talent.” Both Kurt and Eric believe that the work started by their father in support of Cincinnati Parks will be carried through to their own children and grandchildren. Kurt is now serving his first term on the Board of Directors for the Cincinnati Parks Foundation, deepening his connection to the Parks community.
Favorite Cincinnati Parks
When asked about his favorite park, Kurt reflects warmly: “Eden Park holds a special place in my heart because of the Butterfly Garden project and its historical significance. However, growing up in Pleasant Ridge, I have fond memories of French Park. It’s where I attended summer camps and even made my first newspaper. I still have it somewhere.”
Photos are courtesy of ScherZinger Pest Control’s Facebook page.