As thousands of monarch butterflies begin their annual journey south to Mexico, researchers with the Iowa Monarch Conservation Consortium (IMCC) are asking landowners and community members to help document the migration. Each fall, monarchs funnel through Iowa, often clustering in trees or sheltered areas to rest before continuing their trip. Reports of these roosting sites provide critical data for scientists and conservationists working to protect the species. Katherine Kral-O’Brien with IMCC says, “We are seeking reports from landowners if they have monarchs roosting on their property — or from community members if they observe roosting monarchs on public lands. Identifying these roosting locations provides critical data on migration pathways and helps scientists and conservationists protect and restore key habitats.” Monarch roosts often include dozens to hundreds of butterflies clustered on tree branches, typically in sheltered areas near woodlands or river corridors. Roost sites can be reported through the IMCC’s online form or by contacting Kral-O’Brien directly. Contact details and links are included with this story on our website. Whiterock Conservancy is hosting a free, public program on Saturday, Sept. 6, that ties into IMCC’s request. From 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., participants will explore the Monarch lifecycle at the Bur Oak Visitor Center, learn how to identify the butterflies, study their migration patterns, and learn how to properly tag a Monarch as they make their way to Mexico. For more information about this program, call 712-790-8221 and use extension 2.
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Katherine Kral-O’Brien
515-294-7315
