Monarch Tagging in Des Moines
Early fall is the time of year to tag monarchs. There are several programs and events happening in the Des Moines area so you and your family can learn why people tag monarchs, how to do it, and actually do it yourself. Take a look at this list of monarch tagging in Des Moines.
Monarch Day
August 26 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Blank Park Zoo
Join the Zoo and our Plant.Grow.Fly. partners to celebrate the monarch butterfly as it starts its journey to Mexico for the winter.
Des Moines Parks and Recreation
Various dates and locations.
Monarch tagging is a great way to get the public involved and excited about monarch butterflies and what conservation practices Des Moines Parks and Recreation is taking to help the monarch butterfly. Most people know what a monarch butterfly is but they do not always know that the number of monarch butterflies in the wild has been dropping drastically since the mid-1990s. The tagging programs are a local part of a larger citizen science project that has been going on since 1992 to better understand the dynamics of the monarch’s spectacular fall migration. Each year more than a quarter of a million tags are used by volunteers across North America who tag monarchs as they migrate through their area on their way to Mexico.
These are free programs open to the public.
** 2023 Dates and locations have not been posted yet. Keep tabs here.
Toddler Tales – Monarchs
September 7 at 1 p.m.
Jester Park Nature Center
Let your imagination run wild with this nature-themed story time! Hear a story followed by the naturalist’s choice of an activity such as an animal encounter, puppets, or a craft.
REGISTRATION: None
COST: Free
AGES: 3+
Monarch Magic
September 9 at 10 a.m.
Ada Hayden Park in Ames
Monarch Magic is a free, family-friendly event for all ages taking place at Ada Hayden Heritage Park. Experience the magic of tagging a monarch butterfly to help scientists track their migration, and participate in many fun activities to learn more about this butterfly and other pollinators.
Monarch Tagging at Otter Creek
September 10 at 1 p.m.
Otter Creek in Indianola
Come discover more about monarch butterflies, their life cycle, and their miraculous migration to Mexico. A Warren County Conservation Naturalist will teach you how to catch and handle a monarch, determine gender, and properly tag them in the wild as part of a national research project. All monarchs will be released after they are tagged.
Bring a butterfly net if you have one, or share a park net if you don’t. Fun for the whole family! Registration is required at www.warrenccb.org or by calling 515-961-6169.
Monarch Tagging
September 10 at 1 p.m.
Jester Park Nature Center
Come learn about one of the world’s most talked about butterflies and what makes them so unique! We will also try our hand at catching and tagging monarchs as they migrate to their winter home in Mexico. Come prepared to move around and have some fun!
NO REGISTRATION REQUIRED
Monarch Tagging with Des Moines Parks and Recreation
September 13 at 4 p.m.
North Side Library
Children and their caregivers can learn about monarch butterflies in this special event with Parks and Recreation! Kids can participate in a butterfly obstacle course, learn how butterflies consume nectar, view how butterflies are tagged, and watch as they are released. For youth ages 5 and up.
Monarch Tagging at Buxton Park
September 16 at 1 p.m.
Buxton Park in Indianola
Come discover more about monarch butterflies, their life cycle, and their miraculous migration to Mexico. A Warren County Conservation Naturalist will teach you how to catch and handle a monarch, determine gender, and properly tag them in the wild as part of a national research project. All monarchs will be released after they are tagged.
Bring a butterfly net if you have one, or share a park net if you don’t. Fun for the whole family! Registration is required at www.warrenccb.org or by calling 515-961-6169. This event is being hosted by Indianola Parks & Recreation.
Monarch Madness
September 16 at 8:30 a.m. through 11:30 a.m.
Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge
Calling all monarch butterfly lovers! Volunteer to assist refuge staff with capturing, tagging, and releasing monarch butterflies. Tagging monarch butterflies enables scientists to track their migration. This information helps scientists to better understand how to help this declining butterfly species. In previous years, monarch butterflies tagged at Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge were identified by their tag number on their wintering grounds in Mexico.
Event registration is required and the number of participants is limited. To register, fill out the following form.
Family Storytime: Monarch Butterfly Tagging
September 18 at 6:30 p.m.
South Side Library
Kids and families can learn about the monarch butterflies in this special program at South! Join Parks and Recreation Supervisor Joel Van Roekel as he shares information about monarch butterflies. Afterward, kids can participate in a butterfly obstacle course, learn how butterflies consume nectar, view how butterflies are tagged, and watch as they are released. For youth ages 5 and up.
Creative Readers Special – Monarch Butterfly Tagging
September 19 at 4 p.m.
Franklin Library
Monarch Butterflies are especially attracted to the nectar of the native Iowa plants. Special guest, Joel Van Roekel from Des Moines Parks and Recreation, will show us how to tag and release Monarch Butterflies after we read a book. All ages are welcome.
