Every fall, monarch butterflies undertake a spectacular, 3,000-mile migration from New England to central Mexico. Here’s your chance to marvel at this far-ranging species up close and contribute to an understanding of their impressive annual migration!

During this morning of butterfly tagging with Harris Center ecologists Karen Seaver and Brett Amy Thelen, we’ll use butterfly nets to catch any monarchs we find, then affix each one with a tag that displays a unique code. Data on the butterflies that we tag (sex, location, tag number) will be submitted to the Monarch Watch community science project, in the hope that these individual monarchs might be re-identified on their overwintering grounds in Mexico or elsewhere along their migratory route. Bring a butterfly net if you have one (or use one of ours), and come prepared for sun, tall grass, ticks, and other biting insects. No experience necessary.

10 a.m. to noon at the Hiroshi Land in Peterborough, which is located on the east side of Route 137, 2.1 miles north of its junction with Route 101. Rain date: Sept 18. Space is limited, and registration is required.

For general information about Harris Center field trips, including questions about accessibility, see our Outings Information page. For questions about this particular event, please contact Karen.