Monarch watchers needed to help track butterflies in CSRA
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) - Experts are seeking your help as they try to monitor the status of the monarch butterfly population, which is on its way to becoming an endangered species.
Many of the butterflies spend winter in the South instead of going to Mexico like the rest of the monarchs.
Understanding migration and overwintering behavior is crucial to conserving monarchs, so organizers of the annual monitoring effort want you to report any monarchs you see during the season.
Volunteer observations over the past two decades have helped scientists better understand how and why some monarchs breed throughout the winter in the South.
HOW TO HELP
Monitoring monarchs: Volunteers are needed across the region
- Create a free at https://journeynorth.org/reg, then learn how to report monarch sightings at https://journeynorth.org/monarchs.
- Create a free at https://www.inaturalist.org, then report monarch observations using your web browser or phone app
Scattered reports suggest some monarchs can overwinter in coastal regions in a non-breeding state, similar to their wintering behavior in Mexico.
The public is encouraged to report all monarch sightings (including adults, eggs, larvae and pupae) from November to March in Georgia and South Carolina.
Susan Meyers, a volunteer with Monarchs Across Georgia, emphasized that volunteers are vital to the effort.
“If you enjoy being outdoors and exploring your local ecosystem, this is an easy activity that can be done alone or with friends or your family,” Meyers said.
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