Monarch Butterfly Tagging Experience
Join The Parklands interpretive rangers on September 21st as they take you through a short informational session on Monarchs, their migration, and how to tag them. After the talk, head out into the field to catch and tag monarchs as part of an exciting citizen science project that provides critical data to help protect this declining species.
Pre-registration is required—sign up using the link below. The program is $5 for Parklands members and $10 for non-members. After registering, you’ll receive an email with meeting details as the event date approaches.
We’re also offering a special, members-only session! Members will receive an email with registration details for this exclusive session—spaces are limited, so keep an eye out for your invitation!
Additional Information about Monarch Tagging:
The Monarch Watch Tagging Program is a large-scale community science project that was initiated in 1992 to help understand the dynamics of the monarch’s spectacular fall migration through mark and recapture. Tagging helps answer questions about the origins of monarchs that reach Mexico, the timing and pace of the migration, mortality during the migration, and changes in geographic distribution. It also shows that the probability of reaching Mexico is related to geographic location, size of the butterfly, and the date.
In order to track monarchs, a tag is placed on each monarch butterfly caught during the migratory season. This tag is lightweight and specifically designed to not interfere with the migration of the butterfly. Each tag has a unique code, that can then be looked up to find out more information about each butterfly when they are retrieved in Mexico at their overwintering sites.
Reminders:
- This is a field experience that will require you to; be outside at all times, walk mild distances, and walk through tall grasses in our prairies. Please dress accordingly and bring water.
- The migratory monarch butterfly was officially declared endangered by the IUCN Red List in 2021. It is not a guarantee that we will get to capture and tag monarchs during our program but we will try our best!
- Nets and other relevant materials for tagging will be provided. You may bring your own net if you want.
- The location of the monarch tagging will be determined closer to the date of the program, to ensure the best habitat to find monarchs. However, the monarch tagging will take place within The Parklands.
- If we need to cancel or postpone due to weather-related issues it will be communicated via the email.