Thousands of people will help track monarch butterflies this summer. As part of the 10th anniversary of the International Monarch Monitoring Blitz, thousands of volunteers in Canada, the U.S. and Mexico are helping to track where monarch butterflies and milkweed are thriving, as well as what areas they need help. “The monarch is probably the most recognizable butterfly across North America, but most people don’t recognize the threats they face from habitat loss,” said James Pagé, a biodiversity specialist with the Canadian Wildlife Federation. “The International Monarch Monitoring Blitz is an opportunity for people of all ages to help protect them from extinction by collecting valuable information on monarchs and the milkweed they rely on.” Monarchs lay their eggs exclusively on milkweed plants, which is the only plant their caterpillars can eat, so monitoring the plants is instrumental in the survival of the species. Volunteers who sign up for the program are asked to look for milkweed plants outside, check for any eggs or caterpillars, and take photos of their finds. The data is then used to monitor what areas populations are healthy and which are not. The photos are then compiled into one shared, continent-wide photo of where monarchs and milkweeds are being found. Last year, more than 9,000 people took part in the blitz, and this year organizers are hoping for a record 19,000 volunteers. “By bringing together thousands of community scientists across the three countries around a shared conservation mission, the International Monarch Monitoring Blitz has helped build a continent-wide picture of monarch breeding habitat while strengthening the connections that unite us in protecting this iconic migratory species,” said Maxim Larrivée, director of the Insectarium de Montréal. People in Halifax are being invited to participate from now until Aug. 9. Individuals interested in taking part can sign up on with the Canadian Wildlife Federation or Mission Monarch. For more Nova Scotia news, visit our dedicated provincial page
