For those of you that may have noticed, today, members of Dubuque County Conservation were out at the Proving Grounds in Dubuque tagging Monarch Butterflies. And if this is something that you would be interested in doing, you can! It’s a great chance to learn about one of the world’s most well-known butterflies and what makes them truly unique. In addition, volunteers and Conservation members will be catching and tagging monarchs as they migrate to their winter home in Mexico.

Credit: Dubuque County Conservation
Credit: Dubuque County Conservation
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According to the Monarch Joint Venture (a Monarch Butterfly Conservation Effort),

“the purpose of tagging monarchs is to associate the location of original capture with the point of recovery for each butterfly. The data from these recaptures are used to determine the pathways taken by migrating monarchs, the influence of weather on the migration, and the survival rate of the monarchs. Coded tags are attached to monarchs when they are captured before or during their southbound migration, and recovered when monarchs are re-sighted or found throughout the migration or over the wintering season. Volunteer community scientists record the date, location, monarch gender, and unique tag number for each fall-migrating monarchs that they tag and then submit this data to be used in research. The tags and tagging process do not harm the butterflies, and the data collected have the potential to answer many important questions about monarch biology and conservation. Monarch Watch, the Southwest Monarch Study, and Monarch Alert all have monarch tagging programs and are always looking for more participants.”

Anyone hoping to get involved should be prepared to get their exercise in and wear long pants as you maybe chasing butterflies through tall prairie grass. This event is a great place to take the family as kids can enjoy catching butterflies while also being helpful in local conservation efforts. Nets and tags are provided and there is no cost to attend the next and final local monarch tagging event at White Water canyon Friday September 16th starting at 5pm. To join the tagging group call (563) 556-6745 or visit facebook.com/DubuqueCountyConservation.

Credit: Google Maps
Credit: Google Maps     Location; White Water Canyon
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White Water Canyon is actually one of my favorite places to hike and forage for black-cap raspberries. Check out it and 4 other local trails/conservation areas below...

Hiking Trails and Nature near Dubuque, Iowa

Nature and hiking areas around the Dubuque, IA area.

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