This website last updated April 9, 2013


Looking for the perfect gift?
How about a Southwest Monarch Study T-Shirt?
Click HERE for details.



The Southwest Monarch Study is studying the migration patterns of Monarch Butterflies in Arizona. It is well accepted that Monarch Butterflies East of the Rocky Mountains travel to the mountains near Mexico City during the winter. Monarchs West of the Rockies migrate to the coast of California. Since Arizona is South of the Rocky Mountains, where do monarch butterflies go?

Our Mission:

  1. To identify and describe the migration and breeding patterns of Monarch Butterflies (Danaus plexippus) in the Southwestern United States.
  2. To provide a meaningful research project for citizen scientists of all ages throughout Arizona.
  3. To encourage and monitor Monarch Butterfly conservation.

How do we do this?

  1. We tag Monarch Butterflies throughout Arizona, especially from August through November.
    See how to tag a Monarch. Click here
  2. We monitor milkweed populations throughout the state. Why is milkweed important? Click here
  3. We look for habitats that attract Monarch Butterflies in the Southwest.
  4. We actively support the North American Monarch Conservation Plan (NAMCP).
  5. We encourage the development of monarch habitats and Monarch Waystations. Download our publication Low Desert Monarch Waystations and Butterfly Gardens here. (PDF reader needed) Look for publications for other parts of Arizona, coming soon.
  6. We provide educational programs to raise monarch awareness.

Who can participate?                  
         
Everyone! All ages can learn to tag monarchs!

Since 2007, citizen-scientists have tagged thousands of monarch butterflies in Arizona. Some of these monarchs flew to Mexico, and others to the coast of California. We are also learning about monarchs who spend the winter in Arizona. We are very excited by these recoveries (a recovery is a tagged monarch reported in a distant location), but we need more. Join us in some of the most beautiful parts of Arizona, have fun, and contribute to the understanding of one of the most spectacular natural phenomena, the monarch migration.

If you are interested in joining this exciting research, or would like more information about our recoveries, email:

swmonarchs@yahoo.com

 
Through the National Audubon Society's "Pennies for the Planet" campaign, Southwest Monarch Study has been awarded $7,000 to be used for the monarch butterfly overwintering habitat at Rio Salado Habitat Restoration Area in Phoenix. If you would like to be part of this exciting project, email Gail Morris, project coordinator.