EALT uses science-based methods to guide the stewardship of our conservation lands. We consult with scientific literature, conservation experts, and consultants to ensure that our sites support thriving ecosystems. Aside from our own monitoring and stewardship work, EALT encourages outside organizations and post-secondary institutions to use our conservation lands as research sites. We were happy to be approached by friend of EALT, Janine (Jasper June) Heber, when they asked to include EALT Conservation Lands in their project. This guest blog features Jasper June’s research project on milkweed and monarch butterflies.
Monarch butterflies
Monarch butterflies are the iconic large orange and black butterflies with white spots on the edges of their wings. Weighing less than a paper clip, monarch butterflies make the incredible epic multi-generational migration from their overwintering grounds in Mexico, to Canada and the United States each spring. Monarch butterflies rely on their hostplant, milkweed, to breed in their summer ranges. Our research project was focused on surveying milkweed areas across central and southern Alberta to make a significant contribution to the understanding and conservation of monarchs in Alberta. Before our project, no milkweed habitat had been officially surveyed in Alberta or contributed to a larger database.
Juliana Kaneda, field researcher, catching butterflies during our surveys at Bunchberry Meadows
We were grateful to survey Edmonton Area Land Trust conservation lands for the butterflies present. Some species we surveyed at Bunchberry Meadows included Milbert’s Tortoiseshell, Western White, Mustard White, Atlantis Fritillary, Canadian Tiger Swallowtail, Meadow Fritillary, and the Common Branded Skipper. The Edmonton Native Plant Society has done incredible native plant restoration efforts at Bunchberry Meadows, planting many native plants, including milkweed, which we counted and surveyed for the national database on milkweed for monarch conservation. These observations were also shared with the tri-national database for milkweed called the Monarch Blitz, which includes sightings of milkweed and monarchs across Mexico, the United States and Canada during the end of July and beginning of August. We were also grateful for the opportunity to plant milkweed at Bunchberry Meadows. Pipestone Creek is another Edmonton Land Trust Area with low milkweed habitat that we hope to survey this summer.
Monarch Sightings in Alberta
Our study also completed a historical analysis of citizen science reports. Our 11-year analysis, shown in the map, portrays the distribution of monarchs during their migration across Alberta. Our analysis identified over a hundred citizen science reports of monarch butterflies in the province across this 11-year period. This revealed that monarchs have migrated as far north as central Alberta every year in the last decade! This means it is essential that we conserve lands and natural areas with milkweed habitat in their breeding summer ranges.
Field Work, Education, and Engagement
Our research in central and southern Alberta discovered adult monarchs and larvae during our surveys, showing the importance of conserving milkweed habitats across Alberta. Our project focused on field surveys, education, and engagement with citizen science. Excitingly, we are adding native bee monitoring to our surveys this summer.
We tagged this monarch (pictured) in Southern Alberta at the end of summer. These tags have a unique number on them. Observations of tagged monarchs can be submitted so researchers can find out where the monarch was tagged initially, which helps track monarch migration back to their overwintering grounds in Mexico.
Butterflies found on research visits to EALT Conservation Lands
Ways to get involved
You can help monarchs by planting pesticide-free milkweed in your yard. As part of our project, we have created a monarch butterfly resource book, which will be released this summer. Our website will have a tutorial video we created for starting your own butterfly garden. If you would like a copy of the book, milkweed seeds, or to learn more about our project or get involved, please visit our website: www.friendsofthepollinators.ca or Instagram @friendsofthepollinators.
We sincerely thank Edmonton Area Land Trust for supporting our research in monarch butterfly conservation. We appreciate all the staff and volunteers that help conserve these lands.
Written by Janine (Jasper June) Heber, Graduate Student at Yorkville University
