The monarch is the iconic butterfly of North America, and one of the most recognizable insects in the world. Every fall, monarchs embark on a journey of up to 3,000 miles from their breeding locations in the United States and Canada to congregate at a few overwintering sites in Mexico and California. Despite the thousands of monarchs that can be found at these wintering sites, monarchs are facing a long-term declining trend and threats from changing environments and habitats. Come learn more about the biology and status of this fascinating migratory butterfly, and what biologists, land managers, and you can do to help conserve this species for the enjoyment of current and future generations.
Chuck Hayes is a Branch Supervisor with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s New Mexico Ecological Services Field Office. Originally from Lordsburg, New Mexico, Chuck attended Grinnell College in Iowa, University of Arizona, and University of New Mexico, where he obtained a Ph.D. working on Gunnison’s prairie dog use of seasonal food resources. Chuck has worked on wildlife-related matters in New Mexico since 1997, for 23 years with the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish and for the last 5 years with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Chuck works in the Ecological Services program, addressing endangered species matters and voluntary private land habitat improvement projects, and serves as the New Mexico lead for Fish and Wildlife Service’s monarch listing, conservation, and recovery efforts.
Talk Tuesdays are free for Golondrinas members and volunteers. General entry is $10. RSVP required—please email [email protected] to reserve your spot.
