The Butterfly Pavilion invites everyone to participate in the Colorado Butterfly Monitoring Network – a community science program to monitor and help conserve Colorado butterflies.

Established in 2013, the Colorado Butterfly Monitoring Network (CBMN) is a long-term community science project led by Butterfly Pavilion that harnesses the power of volunteers to conserve Colorado butterflies. Anyone can volunteer to receive training and then participate in monitoring beginning early May to help Butterfly Pavilion reach 2024 goals!

As of October 2023, the CBMN has recorded 137,345 individual butterflies and logged 4,312 butterfly surveys, accounting for 4899.8 hours of monitoring through its eleventh consecutive season. 2023 was also a record year for Monarch butterfly observations, with 264 reported. This more than doubles the previous record set in 2021 of 124 reported observations. Still, Butterfly Pavilion and the CBMN aim to grow the program more than ever for the 2024 season. Our goal is to increase key program markers by 20%, which would mean reaching ninety monitors, eighty sites, ninety routes, and eighteen counties this year

Above all, CBMN is a community science project, and the most valuable resources are the monitors who volunteer their time to the program. These monitors observe and record butterflies in open spaces and parks multiple times per season, gathering essential data that land managers can use when making conservation decisions. No experience is required, and monitors are provided with the training and tools they need before making their field visits and observations. It’s a fantastic chance to get outdoors and learn about butterflies, while having a positive impact on conservation in Colorado.

Beyond being spectacular, butterflies play a vital role in the ecosystem, serving both as pollinators and as food for other animals. Butterflies are also indicators of a healthy environment and healthy ecosystems. Areas rich in butterflies are rich in other invertebrates. Understanding the activity and population of butterflies in our state provides valuable insights into the health of our local ecosystems and the behaviors of these captivating and agile invertebrates. We are calling all community members to help us find more!

Community Science also provides priceless opportunities to connect with one another and learn together about the natural world around us. With no experience required, this program lets us all become observers, scientists, and conservationists for the community of Colorado and its incredible environment.

Participation Information: Signing Up

Butterfly Pavilion’s website for more information: https://butterflies.org/research-and-conserve/butterflymonitoring/.

• Submit a Monitor Sign-Up Form and attend a training session before the start of the monitoring season (~2 hours). Upon completion, participants will take a short quiz to test their new knowledge. Once the quiz is successfully completed, participants will receive a personalized Butterfly Monitor certificate, which also serves as a measure of volunteer engagement in the program.

• Receive a site assignment from CBMN or establish a new monitoring route near you.

• Visit your site six to eight times between May and September, conducting a 1-2 hour survey on each field day (six hours minimum).

• Submit your field data online on PollardBase after concluding your monitoring sessions.

2024 Training Schedule

John Martin Reservoir State Park (Hasty, CO) – Saturday, April 20

Time: 1 - 4 p.m.

Butterfly Pavilion (Westminster, CO) - Saturday May 4

Time: 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.

Boulder (exact location TBD) - Sunday, May 5

10 a.m. - 12 p.m.

Gardens on Spring Creek (Fort Collins, CO) - Friday, May 10

10 a.m. - 12 p.m.

Fountain Creek Nature Center (Fountain, CO) - Saturday, May 25

10 a.m. - 12 p.m.