Our Mission

 

The Michigan Butterfly Network seeks to assess the changing population status of our state’s butterfly species, evaluate the quality of Michigan ecosystems, and engage the Michigan public in significant citizen science research.
About Us

Butterflies are powerful indicators of the quality and health of ecosystems. Sensitive to land use and habitat changes, many of our butterfly species have been declining in abundance due to habitat loss, fragmentation, and climate change. We must monitor both common and rare butterflies during the summer months and we need your help!

Monitoring butterfly populations over several years allows us to better understand butterfly ecology, population changes, and to direct attention to species in decline before it is too late. You can find out more about the Michigan Butterfly Network's history here.
Get Involved

Butterfly Monitors, Partners, and Internships!

This project would not be possible without the involvement of partner organizations across Michigan and intrepid citizen scientists who collect important scientific data. We are looking for partner organizations across Michigan and citizen scientists who will walk census routes and record butterfly sightings.

Butterfly Monitor Needs Description 
Regional Hub Coordinator Description 
Internship Application 

We are looking for new volunteers to monitor butterfly routes in 2017! See training workshop dates, times, and locations below! Click through the location tabs to learn more about trainings in those areas! Volunteer Application Here! 
Pre-registration  for trainings is required.

Want to learn more about butterflies but can't commit to the entire monitoring season? Below is our list of 2017 field trips that provide exciting opportunities to observe butterflies throughout the state! These trips are open to everyone.

For monitoring essentials and learning tools please visit our resources page. 

2017 Field Trips

Field Trip to Newaygo Prairie/Karner Blue Nature Sanctuaries

Michigan Butterfly Network Field Trip to Newaygo Prairie/Karner Blue Nature Sanctuaries

Wednesday, May 24, 2-5 pm UPDATE: DUE TO WEATHER THIS FIELD TRIP HAS BEEN RESCHEDULED FOR FRIDAY, JUNE 2nd 2-5pm
(if carpooling from KNC, meet at Sundial in main parking lot at Noon)
REGISTER HERE.

Fee: KNC Members $15, Non-Members $20          

Newaygo Prairie and Karner Blue Nature Sanctuaries Directions:  Take 131 north to the M-82 exit and follow the map shown below from there

The Karner Blue Nature Sanctuary is composed of dry sand prairie and oak pine barrens, which are home to more than 100 different plant and animal species. The Karner Blue butterfly is an endangered species that lives among the wild lupine plants. Open areas with sandy soils in the sanctuary provide ample habitat for the Karner Blue.
Newaygo Prairie Nature Sanctuary has no trails. However, the open landscape makes it easy for visitors to navigate and explore. Twenty-five of the northern acres are composed of prairie vegetation, while 30 acres in the southern part are an example of a dry prairie habitat. More than 100 prairie species survive here, including the porcupine grass, June grass, and Fall Witch grass.  

Butterfly possibilities include: The endangered Karner Blue

Cancellation Policy: For cancellation prior to the event's deadline, a $5 processing fee per registrant will be retained by the Kalamazoo Nature Center. Between registration deadline and the day of program, a 25% processing fee per registrant, with a minimum of $5, will be retained by KNC. No refunds the day of event or after.

Field Trip to Chipman Preserve

Michigan Butterfly Network Field Trip to Chipman Preserve

Wednesday, June 28, 1-4 pm
(if carpooling from KNC, meet at Sundial in main parking lot at Noon)

Fee: KNC Members $15, Non-Members $20          
REGISTER HERE.

Chipman Preserve Directions:  From west of Kalamazoo at the I-94 and Sprinkle Road exit, follow Sprinkle Road north to East Main Street.  Take East Main Street east past 30th Street.  The parking lot is on the north side of the road between 30th and 33rd Streets.  
From east of Kalamazoo at the I-94 and Galesburg exit, go north on 35th Street to M-96.  Follow M-96 west to 33rd Street.  Go north on 33rd Street to East Main Street.  Go west on East Main Street.  The parking lot is on the north side of the road between 30th and 33rd Streets.

Butterfly possibilities include: Edward’s, Banded, and Coral Hairstreak, and Baltimore Checkerspot 

Cancellation Policy: For cancellation prior to the event's deadline, a $5 processing fee per registrant will be retained by the Kalamazoo Nature Center. Between registration deadline and the day of program, a 25% processing fee per registrant, with a minimum of $5, will be retained by KNC. No refunds the day of event or after.

Field Trip to Carpenter Lake Preserve

Michigan Butterfly Network Field Trip to Carpenter Lake Preserve

Saturday, July 15, 1-3 pm
(if carpooling from KNC, meet at Sundial in main parking lot at 10:30 am)

Fee: KNC Members $15, Non-Members $20          
REGISTER HERE.

Carpenter Lake Nature Preserve Directions: This preserve is on West 10 Mile Road west of Beech Road and east of Inkster Road, with the entrance on the south side of 10 Mile in Southfield.

The Carpenter Lake Nature Preserve features 42 acres of woodlands, forested wetlands and native meadows overlooking the beautiful five-acre Carpenter Lake. It is located on 10 Mile Road just east of Inkster Road along the Ravines Branch of the Rouge River. 
Butterfly possibilities include: Swallowtails, Sulphurs, and Skippers 

Cancellation Policy: For cancellation prior to the event's deadline, a $5 processing fee per registrant will be retained by the Kalamazoo Nature Center. Between registration deadline and the day of program, a 25% processing fee per registrant, with a minimum of $5, will be retained by KNC. No refunds the day of event or after.

Field Trip to Pierce Cedar Creek Institute

Michigan Butterfly Network Field Trip to Pierce Cedar Creek Institute

Thursday, August 17, 2-5 pm
(if carpooling from KNC, meet at Sundial in main parking lot at 12:15 pm)

Fee: KNC Members $15, Non-Members $20  
REGISTER HERE.        

Pierce Cedar Creek Institute is a nature center, environmental education center, and a biological field station located on 742 acres in Barry County. The central parcel of 553 acres is home to a great diversity of ecosystems including prairie fen, old and young growth forests, mesic prairie and savanna, as well as open water bodies. 

Butterfly possibilities include: Coral Hairstreak, Banded Hairstreak, Striped Hairstreak, Silver-bordered Fritillary, and Milbert’s Tortoiseshell

Cancellation Policy: For cancellation prior to the event's deadline, a $5 processing fee per registrant will be retained by the Kalamazoo Nature Center. Between registration deadline and the day of program, a 25% processing fee per registrant, with a minimum of $5, will be retained by KNC. No refunds the day of event or after.

2017 Butterfly Monitor Trainings

Kalamazoo

MiBN Trainings at the Kalamazoo Nature Center


 7000 N Westnedge Ave

Kalamazoo, MI 49009

 

Check back for 2018 training dates! 

Battle Creek

MiBN Trainings at Binder Park Zoo 

 

 7400 Divison Dr
Battle Creek, MI 49014

Our new experts at Binder Park Zoo will be learning alongside of you in 2017 and will be ready to host trainings at the zoo in 2018! If you are in the Battle Creek area and would like to attend a training, please look at our other training dates and locations. Upon completion of the training, we can help you find a butterfly monitoring route in a natural area near you. 

Grand Rapids

MiBN Trainings at Blandford Nature Center

 

1715 Hillburn Ave NW

Grand Rapids, MI 49504

 

Check back for 2018 training dates! 

Jackson

MiBN Training in Jackson

 

If you are interested in monitoring butterflies in the Jackson area please attend a training in one of our other partner cities! We can then help you find monitoring routes in the Jackson area upon completion of the training. 

Traverse City

MiBN Trainings at Grass River Natural Area

 

6500 Alden Hwy

Bellaire, MI 49615

 

Check back for 2018 training dates! 

Detroit Area

MiBN Training at the Detroit Zoo 

 

 8450 W 10 Mile Rd

Royal Oak, MI 48067

Check back for 2018 training dates!

Ann Arbor

MiBN Training in Ann Arbor 

Indoor Training: Saturday, May 6th from 1:30-4:00pm 


Outdoor Training: Sunday, May 21st from 2:00-4:00pm 

For program location information and registration please contact Becky Gajewski at BGajewski@a2gov.org

Flint

MiBN Trainings at For-Mar Nature Preserve & Arboretum 

 

2142 N. Genesee Road

Burton, MI 48509

 

Check back for 2018 training dates! 

Northern Indiana

MiBN Training at Presbyterian Chapel of the Lakes  

2955 W. Orland Road
Angola, Indiana 46703

Check back for 2018 training dates! 

Port Huron

MiBN Training at the Blue Water River Walk

51 Water St
Port Huron, MI 48060

Check back for 2018 training dates! 
Enter Your Data! 

Enter the Butterfly Network database here. You can use this site to enter the data you collected on your run.

Log Your Hours! 

In an effort to keep track of how many volunteer hours are donated to the Michigan Butterfly Network we need your help! Please log in to our volunteer database here to document your hours. If you do not have a volunteer profile please register for one here. 

                              
Contact Us

Michigan Butterfly Network Director
Ashley Anne Wick
Biological Research Director, Kalamazoo Nature Center
awick@naturecenter.org
(269) 381-1574 x12

For information regarding trainings or field trips contact:

Michigan Butterfly Network Coordinator
Jennifer Tagett
Citizen Science Coordinator, Kalamazoo Nature Center
jtagett@naturecenter.org

For information regarding butterfly identification contact:

Michigan Butterfly Network Coordinator
Ronda Spink
Butterfly Network Coordinator, Kalamazoo Nature Center
butterflynetwork@naturecenter.org



Thanks To Our Partners


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