Chapter 1: A Pause in Monarch Conservation

This year, I found myself sidelined from a cherished citizen science activity after relocating.

Having dedicated years to understanding monarch butterflies since 2000, I began sharing my knowledge about their life cycles, habitats, and conservation efforts with garden club students in 2006. By 2008, we established a certified way station at our school, capturing the enthusiasm of the students as well as my own.

I developed habitats in two gardens, planting various milkweed and nectar sources for adult monarchs. The students actively participated in creating a habitat at the school, while my husband and I, along with supportive friends, maintained these spaces over the next decade. Despite the challenges, our commitment remained strong.

I expanded my teaching to local community groups, sharing my knowledge with fellow master gardeners and presenting at conferences, including a significant event in 2015 in Council Bluffs, Iowa. My outreach extended to various community clubs and schools, fueled by a passion for monarch conservation.

Section 1.1: Engaging with Citizen Science

In the winter of 2013, the alarming news emerged: monarch populations were declining! Recognizing the urgency, I sought to contribute more significantly by participating in monarch tagging. I learned about this initiative through Monarch Watch, a leading organization at the University of Kansas dedicated to monarch research.

Having raised monarchs at home since 2003, my family and friends witnessed the wonder of metamorphosis firsthand. Tagging was the next logical step in my journey.

I obtained tags from Monarch Watch—small stickers affixed to the hind wings of the butterflies. This process is safe for the monarchs when done carefully, as the tags contribute to a larger database that aids in the study of their migration patterns. Citizen science enables everyday individuals to play a part in this crucial research!

Tagging occurs annually in the fall, during the migration of the "Super Generation" of monarchs heading to Central Mexico. While multiple generations of monarchs occur throughout the year, only the last generation, born between mid-August and mid-September, undertakes this long journey.

Tagging is a practice rooted in history. In 1952, scientists Fred Urquhart and his wife engaged the public in tagging efforts, leading to significant discoveries about monarch wintering sites by 1975.

Monarch Tagging Season Begins! (Part 1) - YouTube

This video introduces the exciting monarch tagging season and highlights its importance in conservation efforts.

Section 1.2: A Personal Journey with Monarchs

I was already an active citizen scientist, reporting my observations to Journey North since 2006, and I viewed tagging as a personal growth opportunity.

From 2014 to 2021, I tagged monarchs in West Central Wisconsin. The fall-born monarchs in the Midwest are part of the migration to Mexico. I also continued to educate my community about monarchs, incorporating tagging into my presentations in the fall. It thrilled me to learn that two of my tagged monarchs reached Mexico in 2015.

Every autumn, I eagerly ordered my tags, recording details about each monarch I tagged. This citizen science endeavor brought me immense joy and fulfillment. However, this year marked a departure from my routine.

Chapter 2: Facing New Challenges

Due to our recent move three hours north, I found myself disconnected from my previous monarch conservation practices. The new ecology, characterized by forest rather than prairie, offered plenty of native milkweed, but I observed a stark decline in monarch sightings—fewer than five throughout the season, two of which occurred during a vacation in Maine.

I refrained from raising monarchs this year, partly due to the move and partly due to doubts about whether our intervention was truly beneficial for these magnificent creatures. I noticed minimal evidence of monarchs at any life stage, despite ample milkweed.

The cost of tags was not a concern; rather, I simply had no monarchs to tag. By July, I realized I wouldn’t be participating and chose not to order tags. Additionally, my relocation meant I had no community groups to educate about monarchs, leaving me to ponder the future of my involvement.

Next year, I hope to restart my efforts. With abundant milkweed in the area, I remain optimistic about spotting more monarchs. While I may not return to raising them, I look forward to resuming tagging activities.

4 Easy Steps for Tagging a Monarch Butterfly - YouTube

This video simplifies the tagging process for monarch butterflies, providing step-by-step instructions for aspiring citizen scientists.