- July 19, 2017 - Insectarium : Entomology news
The goal of the International Monarch Monitoring Blitz? To take a simultaneous image of the state of monarch populations in Canada. This year, two important players are joining the movement: Mexico and the United States. Participants from these two countries, which the monarch’s territory stretches over, will be taking part in collecting data on the ground.
A very busy first season
Mission Monarch, a project introduced in 2016 by the Insectarium, aims to safeguard the monarch butterfly by way of citizen participation. A mission is an observation outing on the ground during which the presence of monarch caterpillars on milkweed plants is verified.
During the first year, over 1,000 people took part in the research, carrying out over 500 missions on 250 different sites right across Canada.
Mission Monarch is back this year with renewed energy. On the program: simplified guidelines and new identification tools on the ground as well as a user-friendly, dynamic internet site. In a word, an easier and more fun project than ever!
The Blitz migrates south
Like the monarch itself, the Blitz cover all of North America. Inspired by the Canadian initiative, American and Mexican researchers and citizens will lead monarch observation missions. The last days of July and the first days of August are ideal because the caterpillars are plentiful at the same time in all three countries.
Be part of the movement!
You can easily contribute to this grand-scale North American project yourself: all it takes is to conduct one mission or more during Blitz week. If you prefer joining a group, such missions are organized in various places. Consult the list of activities to find out which ones are being offered. You can even organize your own group mission by inviting monarch lovers to join you on an outing.
We’re counting on you!
