International Monarch Monitoring Blitz 2025
The International Monarch Monitoring Blitz is taking place this year from July 25th-August 3rd, 2025. This is an annual event held across North America and is coordinated by a variety of partners across the continent. In Eastern Canada, this BioBlitz is coordinated by the Insectarium at Space for Life in Montreal through the project Mission Monarch.
During this survey period, community organizations and individuals alike are encouraged to look for Monarchs and Milkweed in their communities and backyards, and to report on their findings to Mission Monarch. Eggs, caterpillars, chrysalids, and adult butterflies can all be counted during this survey, along with various Milkweed species, including the two species native to New Brunswick: Common Milkweed (Asclepias syriaca) and Swamp Milkweed (Asclepias incarnata).
How to Survey for Monarchs and Milkweed
There are a few different pieces of information that you will need to record in the field when you conduct a survey. You can download a worksheet from Mission Monarch, or record the following details in a notebook to be recorded online later. If you are participating as part of a group survey, only one person needs to upload survey data that pulls together everyone’s sightings.
- Where: The address and/or location name where the survey took place (i.e. 123 Main St. OR Main Street Park). The online submission form also has a map where you can drop a pin on the precise survey location.
- When: Date of the survey, as well as start time AND end time.
- What: The specifics of your observations. The number of participants, the size of the location (a garden, a basketball court, a football field, or larger), the number of stems counted in each species, the number of eggs and caterpillars on those species, and an overall number of chrysalides and adult butterflies. There are also places in this section of the form to upload photos and leave additional comments.
After filling out the full online form, you will get a final chance to review your submission before confirming the report and sending it to Mission Monarch. We also encourage you to add your findings to iNaturalist, where Nature NB has an ongoing, multi-year project to track Monarchs and Milkweed plants across the province.
BioBlitz Events
Want to join a group survey in your area to learn from Nature NB staff and get outside with other nature lovers? Check the list below for counts happening near you!
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