Farmers for monarchs
Farmers for Monarchs – Is a Keystone Collaborative initiative. The Collaborative consists of national organizations representing farmers, ranchers, and land owners; businesses working along the agricultural supply chain; researchers and academic institutions; federal and state entities; and conservation organizations. Farmers for Monarchs support productive agriculture and livestock operations in concert with monarch conservation. An increase in milkweed and nectar plants appropriately placed in rural areas can benefit monarchs without inhibiting production. Because farmers and ranchers are stewards of the land across much of monarch habitat, they are in a unique position to support sustainable monarch populations.
To learn more, pleas visit, farmersformonarchs.org.
Parks for Pollinators
Parks for Pollinators is a national campaign created by the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA), that focuses on raising awareness of the current pollinator crisis by encouraging local action and positioning parks as a national leader in advancing pollinator health, native habitat, and sustainability practices. This campaign continues to assess the public’s understanding of pollinators, to outline actions to protect them and to increase local park and recreation agencies’ capacity to promote pollinator protection within parks and to engage and educate their communities on what they can do to help.
To learn more, please visit, nrpa.org.
What is Community Science?
Community Science (also known as “participatory science” or “citizen science”) is a research method that allows anyone, regardless of their background, to contribute meaningful data to scientific research. By engaging community members, researchers can collect more data across larger geographic areas in a shorter time. This data informs larger conservation efforts and provides participants with opportunities to learn about species of interest. It’s a win-win for all, including invertebrates!
There are several Community Science Programs you can join to help monarchs and other pollinators:
Monarch Larva Monitoring Project (MLMP)
The MLMP involves volunteers from North America and New Zealand in monarch research. Developed in 1997 by the University of Minnesota, it collects long-term data on larval monarch populations and milkweed habitats, focusing on monarch distribution and abundance during the breeding season. Volunteers’ contributions help conserve monarchs and their migratory phenomenon. Learn more at Monarch Joint Venture.
Integrated Monarch Monitoring Program (IMMP)
The IMMP is a national program that collects data on milkweed, nectar plants, and monarch use from various land-use types and regions. This data is vital for understanding monarch interactions with their environment, documenting conservation efforts, and tracking population changes over time. Learn more at Monarch Joint Venture.
Project monarch health
Project Monarch Health: This project tracks the prevalence of the protozoan parasite Ophryocystis elektroscirrha (OE) in monarch butterflies in North America. Started in 2006 by Dr. Sonia Altizer and Natalie Kolleda Tarpein, it has received over 60,000 samples from volunteers across the US and Canada. Learn more at Project Monarch Health.
monarch rx
Monarch Rx: Adult monarch butterflies sometimes visit dry or injured plants to absorb toxic chemicals called pyrrolizidine alkaloids by regurgitating saliva onto the plant surface. Understanding this behavior could contribute to successful conservation. Learn more at Monarch Rx.
Pollinator habitat help desk
Monarch Joint Venture created a Free Pollinator Habitat Help Desk to support land owners and managers of private working lands. They work with a vast network of partner organizations to provide pointed and regionally appropriate guidance for habitat goals of any size.
To learn more, please visit, monarchjointventure.org.
Monarch conservation on working lands
The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is working with America’s farmers, ranchers, and forest managers on voluntary conservation efforts to combat the decline of monarchs on private lands by establishing new habitats and managing existing habitats for monarchs and pollinators.
To learn more, please visit, nrcs.usda.gov.
monARCH CALENDAR PROJECT
Monarch Calendar Project: Monarch Watch seeks community scientists to collect observations of monarchs during spring and fall to gather data on monarch numbers during critical breeding times. This data helps predict population trends. Learn more at Monarch Watch.
MONARCH TAGGING PROGRAM
Monarch Tagging Program: Initiated in 1992, this large-scale project helps understand monarch migration through mark and recapture. Tagging helps answer questions about monarch origins, migration timing, mortality, and geographic distribution. Learn more at Monarch Watch.
JOURNEY NORTH
Journey North: Engages community scientists across North America in tracking migration and seasonal change. Volunteers submit observations of monarchs, roosts, and milkweed to create real-time interactive maps. Learn more at Journey North.
NORTH AMERICAN BUTTERFLY ASSOCIATION (NABA)
NABA Butterfly Count Program: Since 1993, the North American Butterfly Association (NABA) has run the Butterfly Count Program in the US, Canada, and Mexico. Volunteers count butterflies in a 15-mile diameter circle in a one-day period, providing valuable data on geographic distribution and population sizes. Learn more at North American Butterfly Association.