Citizen Science

Northland College student Michaela Fisher led a monarch-tagging program this summer at the Northern Great Lakes Visitor Center (NGLVC).

“The events featured plenty of opportunities for visitors to learn about ways they can help monarch populations,” Fisher said.

During two Saturday afternoons in August and September, visitors used nets to catch monarch butterflies and tag them. The butterflies will be tracked as they fly from Ashland to the southern United States and into Mexico.

In recent years, monarch numbers have been declining, with some scientists citing a ninety percent population decrease.

“People are very interested in monarch butterflies, and much research remains to be done…we are fortunate to have Northland College student interns who are interested in involving visitors in this citizen science project,” says Jason Maloney, director of the NGLVC.