Monarch Butterfly Updates and Tracking Aid

The Monarch Butterflies in the U.S. are in grave danger. According to the Xerces Society:
Historically, western monarchs have made a spectacular annual migration to overwinter in forested groves along the coast of California. Each spring, the butterflies fan out across the West to lay their eggs on milkweed and drink nectar from flowers in Arizona, California, Nevada, Oregon, Washington, Idaho, and Utah.

However, the western migration is in trouble. In recent years, the number of monarchs making the annual journey to coastal California has declined by approximately 95%. In response to this, the Xerces Society has spearheaded the Western Monarch Call to Action, working in partnership with universities, government agencies, other organizations, and communities to stabilize and recover this imperiled population.

You can visit their web site to gain education on what you can do to help the Monarch Butterfly. Western Monarch Conservation | Xerces Society

Another aid to improve the Monarchs is tracking information: you can download from your phone app store an app called Project Monarch by Cape May Point Science Center and Cellular Tracking Technologies.

The App uses GPS data via your phone to scan for trackers that are being monitored on butterflies. Your log into the app, set it to scan and it will search your area. If you locate one, it will reflect in the data can be transmitted to the host. Project Monarch – Apps on Google Play

Please do your part to help protect these amazing, beneficial creatures.