Join the Underhill Conservation Commission on a 4-week journey in rearing monarchs from egg to butterfly! Learn with us why helping monarchs is interesting and important, where to find monarch eggs, and how to care for monarch caterpillars. Finally, learn how to test for disease, feed and tag monarch butterflies, and then send them off on their 2,000+ mile journey to Mexico for the winter! This 3-part series workshop is geared towards adults and children.

July 22, 2 sessions: 10AM or 11AM - Collecting Monarch Eggs at the Crane Brook Conservation area.

July 29, 10:30AM–11:30AM - Caring for Monarch Caterpillars, Instar Stages 1-5 at Deborah Rawson Memorial Library. Critter Cages may be available to be purchased at this session.

August 12, 10:30AM–11:30AM - Testing for disease, feeding, tagging, and releasing your monarch at Deborah Rawson Memorial Library.
Register in advance for the 3-series workshop by emailing trinity.schroeter@gmail.com. Workshops are limited to 8 participants each except for the 29th, which is unlimited. Children must be accompanied by an attentive adult.

Requirements:
1. Access to fresh milkweed daily for about 2 weeks (total 18 linear inches of fresh leaves per caterpillar).
2. Aerated plastic food container for eggs and milkweed.
3. Caterpillar / Butterfly container/s (pop-up cage, aquarium, critter carrier, etc.).
4. A protected outdoor area to keep your caterpillars and butterflies safe from rain and too much sun exposure.
5. Time and interest daily for approximately two weeks to care for your growing caterpillars, then a daily check-in for about 8-12 days until the butterfly emerges from the chrysalis!

Sponsored by the Underhill Conservation Commission

May 12, 2024, 7 to 8:30 PM

May 15, 2024, 6 PM

May 15, 2024, 6 to 8 PM