No other species seems to have captured the public’s interest quite like the monarch butterfly. Nature Interpreter Stephanie dives into the history of monarch tagging, how it led to the discovery of the epic monarch migration, and how you can help these winged wonders.

The monarch butterfly is one of the most easily recognized butterflies in North America. Think you know everything there is to know about these winged wonders? Think again! Nature Interpreter Lisa shares facts you didn’t know just in time for the monarch migration.

Join us on our Facebook page every Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 10 a.m. for a live video with Great Parks staff. Nature Interpreters Stephanie and Julie are in the butterfly garden at Farbach-Werner Nature Preserve. Here, they’re sharing how they complete the delicate task of tagging monarch butterflies so we can study the patterns of these important pollinators.

For the last 33 years, Great Parks has conducted a butterfly count in the western Hamilton County parks headed by former Great Parks Ranger and current VIP Bob Nuhn, in collaboration with the North American Butterfly Association. One Saturday every July, employees, volunteers and the public head out with sunscreen and binoculars to count the number […]

The milkweed is blooming, the milkweed is blooming! Why all of the excitement? Common milkweed is a favorite plant for more than 450 species of aphids, bees, wasps, beetles, butterflies, moths and more. Whether these insects are using it as a nursery for their larvae to munch on once hatched or sipping nectar from the […]

Few insects lift our spirits more than the charismatic monarch butterfly. But why? Maybe it’s their stunning color contrast against the backdrop of a blue sky. Or maybe it’s our appreciation for the massive struggle they face to carry on their species. Adult butterflies emerging at this point in the season are biologically different than […]

Over the past few years, the Great Parks Stewardship department has been aware of declining monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus) sightings. The department has since taken steps to help promote and protect their habitat. In the fall, monarch butterflies from our region start their migration to Mexico for the winter. When winter is over, they will […]