The Carroll County Conservation Board (CCCB) is inviting residents to become citizen scientists this week and assist in tracking Monarch butterflies as they begin their long journey south towards warmer winter climates. Individuals interested in helping out and learning more about the butterflies are asked to come to the Swan Lake Conservation Education Center on Thursday, Sept. 20 at 6:30 p.m. Naturalist, Matt Wetrich, says attendees will hopefully get to handle some of the fragile insects.
The generation that will make the several thousand-mile journey started emerging several weeks ago, and Wetrich says every caterpillar that becomes a Monarch butterfly will face a gauntlet of hazards along their trip.
According to Wetrich, Monarchs are too small to put electronic tracking devices on, and more low-tech methods are needed to see where they end their journey.
Researchers at the University of Kansas offer up to a $5 reward per butterfly to citizens who report the tracking numbers. No prior experience is required to assist in the tagging program and all ages are welcome to attend.
