Monarch Monitoring Volunteer Training

This activity is for volunteers interested in independently monitoring monarch survey plots in compliance with Monarch Joint Venture’s Integrated Monarch Monitoring Program (IMMP). Specific activities may include surveying presence of monarch adults, larvae, eggs, and diversity of flowering plants.

Monarch butterfly populations have declined 80% since the 1990s. But we can make a difference! Dane County Parks was the recipient of a $300,000 grant from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) to help fund monarch and pollinator habitat restoration in the park system. This includes restoring 500 acres of new habitat and enhancing an existing 3,500 acres of natural areas in our parks.

Terms of the grant require DCP to conduct these monitoring activities beginning in May and continuing through September:

1. Milkweed and blooming plant survey; Monthly (1-4 hrs)
2. Monarch egg and larva survey; Monthly, or more frequent if convenient (1-2 hrs)
3. Adult monarch survey; Monthly, or more frequent if convenient (30 min)

This training is provided to demonstrate surveying techniques and have volunteers practice surveying and collecting the required data for monarch monitoring. This is a hands-on, largely outdoor event. Self-paced, online training is required prior to event.

Please be aware this activity is best completed in groups so you will be paired with other volunteers for monitoring throughout the summer.

Steps to Register: 

1. After registering, complete the pre-training survey
2. Agendas will be sent to registrants ahead of time.
3. Prior to the training, volunteers should watch select online videos from Monarch Joint Venture’s YouTube channel on IMMP before attending this in-person training.

Location:

This training will be held at the Lussier Family Heritage Center: 3101 Lake Farm Rd, Madison, WI 53711
Staff will greet you in the entrance hall.

How to Prepare: 

What to Bring:

• Drinking water
• Sunscreen
• Note-taking materials (notepad and pens/pencils, etc.)

What to Wear: 

• Wear clothing appropriate for warm weather and walking in dense vegetation (prairies).
  • Closed toed shoes are required.
  • Long pants and lightweight long sleeve shirts are recommended.

Accessibility & Physical Requirements:

• This activity will require bending, squatting, and kneeling for long periods of time in dense vegetation and direct sun. Volunteers should be comfortable in these conditions and walking on uneven terrain.
• This activity requires attention to detail, strong organizational skills, and ability to work well in small groups.

Questions:

• Lars Higdon, Botanist/Naturalist 
  • (608) 286-9497 higdon.lars@danecounty.gov
• Leah Kleiman, Land Restoration Specialist
  • (608) 843-1863 kleiman.leah@danecounty.gov