Workshop participants study and talk about a dragonfly

Monarch workshop participants learn proper handling techniques

Dragonfly Monitoring Walks

Join the Arboretum and the Wisconsin Dragonfly Society for guided walks to monitor dragonflies. Help identify species and collect data for the Arboretum’s dragonfly monitoring project. No experience required, but an online training video is available by request (email citizenscience@arboretum.wisc.edu). Recommended for ages 12 and up. Walks take place several times a month through early October. Meet at the Visitor Center.

Note: Dragonflies prefer sunny days and warm weather, so walks may be canceled if it is rainy or cool. Check the Wisconsin Dragonfly Society Facebook group or call the visitor center on the day of the walk (after 9 a.m. for Saturday walks) to find out if a walk is canceled for weather.

2024 walks

Saturday, May 25, 10–11:30 a.m.
Wednesday, June 12, 3–4:30 p.m.
Saturday, June 29, 10–11:30 a.m.
Wednesday, July 10, 3–4:30 p.m.
Saturday, July 27, 10–11:30 a.m.
Wednesday, Aug 14, 3–4:30 p.m.
Saturday, Aug 31, 10–11:30 a.m.
Wednesday, Sept 11, 3–4:30 p.m.
Saturday, Sept 28, 12–1:30 p.m. (later start because morning likely to be cooler)
Wednesday, Oct 9, 3–4:30 p.m.

Past events

Butterfly Monitoring Walk

Saturday, July 20, 10–11:30 a.m.
Join members of the Dane County Butterfly Monitoring Program on a walk and learn how to identify and collect data about common butterflies. Binoculars or camera recommended but not required. No monitoring experience necessary. Free, no registration required. Meet at the Visitor Center.

The Dane County Butterfly Monitoring Program is part of a nationwide program to understand butterfly emergence and distribution patterns. The program involves remote and in-person trainings to learn how to identify and survey the 97 Dane County species.

2024 Dragonfly Monitoring Virtual Training

May 11, 10–11:30 a.m.
The Arboretum relies on volunteers to help survey dragonfly diversity and habitat quality. Gain the knowledge and skills to participate in this citizen science project and monitor dragonflies in your community. Training participants will learn to identify common dragonfly species, conduct surveys, and record and submit data. No experience needed. Instructors: Arboretum staff, with Wisconsin Dragonfly Society members. Free, register by May 6.

2024 Monarch Larva Monitoring Project Trainings

Become a community scientist with the Monarch Larva Monitoring Project (MLMP). Staff from the Monarch Joint Venture and the UW–Madison Arboretum co-lead these virtual one-day trainings on how to collect data in your own backyard, a nearby park, or virtually any green space where milkweed grows. The data contributes to our knowledge about monarch populations. Participants learn about monarch biology, monitoring procedures, and data entry protocols, and will be able to ask monarch biologists questions about monarchs and monitoring.

Sessions are relevant for both newcomers and active participants in MLMP or other monarch citizen science projects. The four-hour training will be conducted in two parts with a one-hour break between them.

  • Northern States: April 18, 10 a.m.–3 p.m. (Central)
    For states East of the continental divide and north: North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Iowa, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Delaware, Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine, and all Canadian provinces.

Advance registration for trainings is required. Fee: $50. For more information and registration links, visit the MLMP trainings page. Individuals may request financial assistance by emailing the MLMP Coordinator at info@mlmp.org.