Missouri Butterfly Monitoring Network

The Missouri Butterfly Monitoring Network is a citizen science program that monitors butterfly populations and diversity in natural areas across the state. Participants need no previous or formal entomology or butterfly identification experience. Training is provided on how to identify the most commonly seen butterflies in the state and then volunteers select a location to survey. Locations should consist of natural habitats such as prairies, wetlands, forests, or areas of habitat reconstruction or concern. Monitors visit the site a minimum of 6 times during the summer and preform “Pollard Walks” which are a data gathering method where you walk through your location and count the butterflies that come close to you.

Information is then uploaded to the North American Butterfly Monitoring Network, where it is freely shared with researchers, conservationists, government agencies and other interested parties. The program uses standardized protocols in generating the data, which allows it to be combined with datasets from butterfly monitoring programs from across North America. This data is used to study and understand butterfly populations on a large scale, and has been used in recent studies and publications.

If you are interested in participating please contact program director Tad Yankoski at tyankoski@mobot.org, training sessions happen each spring, and the field monitoring season runs from June to August. 

For more information visit:

https://thebutterflynetwork.org/program/missouri-butterfly-monitoring-network