Learn how to catch and tag migrating monarch butterflies!!

Penny Miller presented a program at the April meeting, on her February trip to the high oyamel fir forests of Mexico to witness the over-wintering monarchs, which numbered in the hundreds of thousands!

Key take-aways are that monarchs are found in AZ year round, moving to higher elevations to avoid the heat in May and June. AZ monarchs prefer these milkweed species available at nurseries: antelope horn, pine leaf, showy, desert or rush, butterfly weed and AZ milkweed.

Monarchs have been considered for future listing as Endangered species. Peak migration through Tucson occurs Sept 26-Oct 26. AZ monarchs migrate to both California and Mexico, depending on prevailing winds.

MNs interested in going out in the field to learn how to catch and tag monarchs with Penny, and Gail Morris, from the Southwest Monarch Study (SMS), should contact Penny at pmiller451@aol.com or 304-238-3215 to sign up. Tagging will take place the first 2 weeks in September, in Tucson, and your hours will count as advanced training/skills based, or volunteer hours for SMS, whichever you most need.