Spot Monarch Butterflies in Georgia This Winter

For those who’ve noticed a monarch butterfly perched on a milkweed plant currently, the science world needs to listen to from you. For the previous few winters, people throughout Georgia and neighboring Southeastern states have been holding their eyes peeled for these iconic orange and black butterflies.

And guess what? It’s that point of yr once more. Monarchs Overwintering within the Southeastern States, a partnership of researchers, businesses, and conservationists, is looking on your assist. They’re in search of observations of monarch butterflies—adults, eggs, larvae, or pupae—noticed anyplace from Georgia to Texas, November by way of March.

Dr. Sonia Altizer, a professor UGA and director of Venture Monarch Well being, explains why these sightings are so helpful. Scientists are attempting to determine if monarchs are overwintering as non-breeding adults within the southern U.S. and the way that may have an effect on their numbers sooner or later. Plus, they need to perceive how these winter-breeding behaviors might shake up their legendary migration to Mexico.

So, how will you get entangled? Reporting is straightforward and free. You should utilize Journey North or iNaturalist to log your sightings. Each platforms stroll you thru the method step-by-step, and your efforts will likely be half of a bigger effort to preserve this at-risk species.

DNR biologist Anna Yellin says they’re already grateful for the group’s enthusiasm. “Once we work collectively like this, we actually could make a distinction in defending monarchs for future generations,” she says.

Workshops for Nature Lovers

Need to dive deeper into nature schooling? Georgia has some wonderful workshops developing for educators and fans alike:

• The Flying WILD Educator Workshop on February 15 at Charlie Elliott Wildlife Heart focuses on chook conservation actions for Okay-12 lecture rooms; $15 per particular person.
• The Venture WILD Workshop on March 15 at Arrowhead Environmental Training Heart affords terrestrial and aquatic guides with Georgia-focused content material; $32 per particular person, lunch not included.
• One other Venture WILD Workshop on March 15 at Georgia Southern College gives the identical sources with regional pure useful resource insights; $32 per particular person, no lunch included.
• The Venture WILD/Rising Up WILD Mixed Workshop on March 29 at Charlie Elliott Wildlife Heart explores each curriculums with included guides, sources, and lunch; $65 per particular person.
• The Triple Local weather Resilience Workshop on February 22 at Charlie Elliott Wildlife Heart introduces local weather schooling actions for center and highschool applications; $35 per particular person, lunch not included.
• The Instructor Conservation Workshop from June 16–20 at Charlie Elliott Wildlife Heart covers forestry and wildlife administration in Georgia by way of a five-day program; $65 per particular person.
• The Out of doors Wildlife Management Faculty (OWLS) from July 7–11 at Epworth By the Sea affords hands-on studying in Georgia’s coastal ecosystems, supported by a grant; $175 per particular person.

Butterfly Enjoyable for Youngsters and Lecture rooms

Feeling impressed to deliver butterflies into your classroom? Take a look at actions like this one to show youngsters concerning the butterfly life cycle. You’ll be able to even pair classes with a butterfly track to maintain it participating.

And do you know Georgia is residence to over 160 species of butterflies? The Georgia DNR affords a downloadable discipline information and checklists to assist budding naturalists determine all of them. And don’t miss this Monarchs Throughout Georgia useful resource filled with nice concepts.

For those who’re on the market recognizing monarchs this winter—or simply in search of methods to attach with nature—this season is stuffed with alternatives to make a distinction. Regulate these milkweeds, and don’t neglect to share what you see!