The charity uses its research to provide advice on how to conserve and restore butterfly and moth habitats and it runs projects to protect more than 100 threatened species of Lepidoptera.

The organisation was originally formed in 1968 as the "British Butterfly Conservation Society" by a small group of naturalists and it was registered as a charity on 7 March 1968.

The citizen science survey encourages people to spot and record common butterflies and two day-flying moths during three weeks of high summer.

The charity provides advice to landowners and managers on how to conserve and restore habitats.

Chief Executive Role 2017–present day: Julie Williams 2003 - 2016: Dr. Martin Warren Vice Presidents: Maurice Avent, Nick Baker, John F Burton, Dudley Cheeseman, Sue Collins, The Earl of Cranbrook, David Dennis, Mike Dilger, Clive Farrell, Julian Gibbs, Ian Hardy MVO, David Hanson, Anthony Hoare, Chris Packham, Prof Jeremy Thomas OBE and Alan Titchmarsh MBE.

Prior to his death in 2004, Anthony Ashley-Cooper, 10th Earl of Shaftesbury served as a Vice president of the charity.

[3] The organisation has over 30 volunteer-led Branches across the UK, with offices based in England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.