Field Trip to Track Monarch Butterflies
Fremont, IN – Pleasant Lake Montessori School’s fourth and fifth graders embarked on an exciting field trip to Cedar Swamp Wetland Conservation Area to tag and track migrating monarch butterflies.
Hosted by Savanna Vaugh, property manager, alongside Betsy Yankowiak from Scouting America and local volunteers, the trip engaged students with hands-on learning about these remarkable insects. Their data will contribute to Monarch Watch, a citizen science initiative started by the University of Kansas in 1997, aimed at monitoring monarch population and migration patterns.
Yankowiak noted the challenging weather conditions, with cloudy skies and drizzle present, which hinder butterfly activity since they rely on sunlight to warm their wings. Despite this, student enthusiasm remained high as they explored the field, eager to discover the monarchs’ unique characteristics, including their migration journey—a remarkable trek from Canada to Mexico, the longest for any North American insect.
The “Methuselah Generation” of monarchs begins their journey in August and can be seen in massive numbers in places like Angangua, Mexico, where they gather in awe-inspiring displays. These butterflies huddle for warmth during their migration, with the generation making the journey south living for about nine months.
Scout Executive Will Brewer highlighted the significance of studying monarchs as indicators of ecological health, amidst their alarming 80% to 90% decline in North America due to factors like habitat loss, pesticides, and climate change.
Cedar Swamp serves as an essential stopover for migrating monarchs, boasting abundant milkweed for feeding and nesting. The conservation area, continuously restored since 1992, is accessible year-round for various outdoor activities, including butterfly collecting in the fall.
NIPSCO volunteers echoed the importance of such educational experiences, emphasizing the value of learning about and supporting local ecosystems.
