Monarch Watch

Chip Orley R. Taylor, Jr.; Jim Lovett

doi:10.15468/km9q2b

Monarch Watch

Citation

Taylor, Jr. C O R, Lovett J, Sellers E (2020). Monarch Watch. Version 1.3. United States Geological Survey. Occurrence dataset https://doi.org/10.15468/km9q2b accessed via GBIF.org on 2025-06-22.

Description

Monarch Watch is a nonprofit education, conservation, and research program based at the University of Kansas that focuses on the monarch butterfly, its habitat, and its spectacular fall migration. Monarch Watch strives to provide the public with information about the biology of monarch butterflies, their spectacular migration, and how to use monarchs to further science education in primary and secondary schools. We engage in research on monarch migration biology and monarch population dynamics to better understand how to conserve the monarch migration. We also promote protection of monarch habitats throughout North America.

Purpose

Mission Statement: Monarch Watch strives to provide the public with information about the biology of monarch butterflies, their spectacular migration, and how to use monarchs to further science education in primary and secondary schools. We engage in research on monarch migration biology and monarch population dynamics to better understand how to conserve the monarch migration. We also promote protection of monarch habitats throughout North America. Vision Statement: In recognition of the rapid loss of habitats and resources needed by monarch butterflies in the United States, Canada, and Mexico, our vision is the preservation of the monarch migration will require stewardship by the governments and private citizens of all three countries. We all must work together to create, conserve, and protect monarch habitats. Sustaining monarch habitats will have the effect of protecting vital pollinators and other wildlife.

Sampling Description

Study Extent

Locations within the United States and Canada.

Sampling

Researchers and citizen scientists submit data associated with monarch tagging activities occurring at numerous locations throughout the eastern United States and Canada.

Quality Control

Monarch Watch provides data sheets for controlled submission of data, discards data with incomplete information, and validates tag codes.

Method steps

See Sampling Description.

Additional info

In 1992, Taylor founded Monarch Watch, an outreach program focused on education, research and conservation relative to monarch butterflies. Since then, Monarch Watch has enlisted the help of volunteers to tag monarchs during the fall migration. This program has produced many new insights into the dynamics of the monarch migration. In 2005 Monarch Watch created the Monarch Waystation program, in recognition that habitats for monarchs are declining at a rate of 6,000 acres a day in the United States. The goal of this program is to inspire the public, schools and others to create habitats for monarch butterflies and to assist Monarch Watch in educating the public about the decline in resources for monarchs, pollinators and all wildlife that share the same habitats.

Taxonomic Coverages

Monarch (Danaus plexippus (Linnaeus, 1758)) butterflies.

Danaus plexippus
common name: Monarch butterfly rank: species

Geographic Coverages

The United States and Canada.

Bibliographic Citations

Contacts

Chip Orley R. Taylor, Jr.
originator
position: Founder and Director; Professor
Monarch Watch, Kansas Biological Survey, University of Kansas
2021 Constant Ave
Lawrence
66047
Kansas
US
email: chip@ku.edu
homepage: http://monarchwatch.org/

Jim Lovett
originator
position: Research Assistant
Monarch Watch, University of Kansas
2021 Constant Avenue
Lawrence
66047
Kansas
US
email: jlovett@ku.edu
homepage: http://monarchwatch.org/

Elizabeth Sellers
metadata author
position: Technical Information Specialist - Biology
United States Geological Survey (USGS)
12201 Sunrise Valley Drive, Mailstop 302
Reston
20192
Virginia
US
Telephone: +1 (703) 648 4385
email: esellers@usgs.gov
homepage: https://profile.usgs.gov/esellers

Chip Orley R. Taylor, Jr.
administrative point of contact
position: Founder and Director; Professor
Monarch Watch, Kansas Biological Survey, University of Kansas
2021 Constant Ave
Lawrence
66047
Kansas
US
email: chip@ku.edu
homepage: http://monarchwatch.org/