Monarch workshop participants learn proper handling techniques
2025 Monarch Larva Monitoring Project Trainings
Become a citizen scientist with the Monarch Larva Monitoring Project (MLMP)! The MLMP team from Monarch Joint Venture and the UW–Madison Arboretum co-lead these virtual one-day trainings on how to collect data that contributes to our knowledge about the monarch population. Participants learn about monarch biology, monitoring procedures, and data entry protocols and can ask monarch biologists their questions about monarchs and monitoring. Workshops are relevant for both newcomers and individuals who are already participating in MLMP or another monarch citizen science project.
These live virtual training will focus on three regions of the United States and Southern Canada. All trainings take place on Zoom.
Northern Region: May 7, 2025, 10 a.m.–3 p.m. (CT), with one-hour break at noon
- 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
- Register here for the Northern MLMP Training
Southern Region: February 26, 2025, 10 a.m.–3 p.m. (CT), with one-hour break at noon
- East of the continental divide and south: Texas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Louisiana, Alabama, Mississippi, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Kentucky, Missouri, Kansas, Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland, and all states in Mexico
- Register here for the Southern MLMP Training
Western Region: January 29, 2025, 9 a.m.–2 p.m. (PT), with one-hour break at noon
- West of the continental divide: California, Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Wyoming, Colorado, Utah, Arizona, New Mexico
- Register here for the Western MLMP Training
The above geographic areas are approximate based on timing of the monarch migration and milkweed emergence. These training sessions will focus on specific points related to these regions, but if a different date works better for your time or schedule, feel free to choose that date!
This year, registrants will also gain access to our new MLMP Online Course offered at the Monarch NECTAR Hub after the live training is completed. This will include videos on identifying milkweed, monitoring, and more. A recording of the live training will also be available.
Reach out to info@mlmp.org if you have any questions about these trainings. If cost is a barrier to your participation, and you would like to request financial support, please email learn@monarchjointventure.org.
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. Please bring binoculars if you have them. 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 monthly through September. 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 walk) to find out if a walk is canceled for weather.