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.
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.
** 2024 Dates and locations have not been posted yet. Keep tabs here.
Monarch Tagging with Des Moines Parks and Recreation
September 5 at 5 p.m.
Forest Avenue Library
Come learn about and participate in monarch tagging with Des Moines Parks and Recreation. Then join us for a special Art Club where we will read books about monarchs and create an art project!
Monarch Day
September 7 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’s migration journey to Mexico.
PGF Partners attending include:
- Brenton Arboretum
- Prairie Fire Restoration
- Polk County Conservation
- Rain Campaign
- Good Neighbor
- City of Des Moines Sustainability
- Living History Farms
- ISU Extension & Outreach / Master Gardeners
- Monarch Conservation Consortium
Monarch Migration
September 7 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!
REGISTRATION: None
COST: Free
AGES: All ages
Monarch Magic
September 7 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.
Saturday, September 7, 2024 – 10 am -1 pm, Ada Hayden Heritage Park – 5205 Grand Ave, Ames, Iowa (meet at the NE parking lot shelter to check-in)
prrcd.org/events
This event is made possible in part by support from Friends of Ada Hayden Heritage Park and Outdoor Alliance Story County.
Family Storytime: Monarch Butterfly Tagging
September 9 at 6:30 p.m.
South Side Library Lawn
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. Afterwards, 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 Otter Creek
September 14 at 1 p.m.
Otter Creek in Indianola
Come to Otter Creek and discover all about monarch butterflies, their unusual lifestyle and life cycle and their migration to Mexico! A Warren County Conservation Naturalist will teach you how to catch and handle a monarch, determine its gender, and properly tag them 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 net at the park if you don’t. Fun for the whole family!
Free event, but registration is required by Friday, September 13, 2024.
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 Butterfly Tagging
September 16 at 4 p.m.
North Side Meeting Room
Visit the North Side Library to learn about monarch butterflies and butterfly tagging with Des Moines Parks and Rec! Joel Van Roekel will share information about monarchs, then we’ll view how butterflies are tagged and watch as they are released.
Monarch tagging is a conservation practice Des Moines Parks and Recreation is taking to help the monarch butterfly. The tagging programs are 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. All ages are welcome to participate in some hands-on monarch tagging!
Monarch Butterfly Tagging
September 19 at 5:30 p.m.
East Side Meeting Room
Visit the East Side Library to learn about monarch butterflies and butterfly tagging with Des Moines Parks and Rec! Joel Van Roekel will share information about monarchs, view how butterflies are tagged and watch as they are released.
Monarch tagging is a conservation practice Des Moines Parks and Recreation is taking to help the monarch butterfly. The tagging programs are 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. All ages are welcome to participate is some hands-on monarch tagging!
Monarch Tagging at Buxton Park
September 21 at 1 p.m.
Buxton Park in Indianola
Discover all about monarch butterflies, their unusual lifestyle and life cycle and their migration to Mexico! A Warren County Conservation Naturalist will teach you how to catch and handle a monarch, determine its gender, and properly tag them 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 net at the park if you don’t. Fun for the whole family!
Free event, but registration required by Wednesday, September 18, 2024.
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.
