---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Jim Lovett <[log in to unmask]>
Date: Mon, Aug 2, 2010 at 3:02 PM
Subject: Monarch Watch - August 2010
To: [log in to unmask]
Greetings Monarch Watchers!
Here's brief update to kick off the 2010 Monarch Migration/Tagging Season...
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Status of the Population
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The 2009-2010 overwintering monarch population in Mexico covered a
forest area of only 1.92 hectares. This figure represents an all time
low for overwintering monarchs and is well below the long-term average
of 7.44 hectares (1994-2010). We worried about these low numbers
because of the possibility that a devastating storm could drive the
population even lower. And then it happenedŠa storm of the worst
possible dimensions hit the overwintering area starting on 2 February.
Accounts of the flooding and landslides can be found on the Monarch
Watch Blog at
http://monarchwatch.org/blog/category/mexico/
Attempts to find out how the monarchs fared following these winter
storms were unsatisfactory. We estimated that at least 50% of the
monarchs died during the winter months, recognizing that this value
could have been low.
Fortunately, the conditions encountered by the monarchs that reached
Texas were favorable. The result, in spite of the low number of
returning monarchs, was a substantial first generation. These
butterflies colonized much of the northern breeding area from late
April to mid-June.
It appears that the monarchs are making a modest recovery and we
expect the overwintering population will measure close to 3 hectares.
For a more detailed status and updates throughout the season please
visit the Monarch Watch Blog at http://monarchwatch.org/blog/
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Monarch Tagging Kits
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We have begun shipping out tagging kits for the 2010 monarch butterfly
tagging season - all of those ordered from January-June this year are
on their way and those ordered last month should go out this week. New
orders should be turned around within a week so if you haven't ordered
tags yet there is still time. :-)
You can find all of the information about ordering tags, downloading
additional datasheets, and our tagging program in general at
http://monarchwatch.org/tagging
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Chip in For Monarch Watch
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Last year was our first "Chip in for Monarch Watch" fundraising
campaign - a chance for Monarch Watchers, colleagues, friends, and
family across the planet to show their support of Monarch Watch and
its director Chip Taylor who brought the program to life nearly two
decades ago.
By the end of the campaign, more than $23,000 was contributed by
nearly 500 donors - wow! These funds put us in the best financial
position we have ever been in heading into the winter season.
Many of you asked if we would be making this an annual fundraising
campaign and we think that is a great idea! Although we accept
donations at any time (http://monarchwatch.org/donate/), this formal
effort will be a yearly reminder to renew your support and give you
the opportunity to share your monarch stories or other comments with
us. If you haven't viewed the comments and photos submitted last year,
we encourage you to do so - the connections facilitated by monarchs
and Monarch Watch are truly extraordinary.
The 2010 "Chip in for Monarch Watch" campaign will run through the
entire month of August - if you enjoy and/or appreciate all that
Monarch Watch offers throughout the year, please consider making a
donation today...it's quick, easy, secure, and fully tax-deductible.
As you may know, we rely on these contributions to allow us to
continue to offer educational, conservation, and research programs and
resources.
Donations to Monarch Watch are managed via the KU Endowment
Association (KUEA) here at the University of Kansas and 100% of your
donation will go to Monarch Watch - none of it will be used for KUEA
operating expenses. Donations may be made by phone, online, or by mail
and you can easily set up a monthly or annual gift. Also, many
employers offer matching programs, effectively doubling your gift.
Please take some time to visit our "Chip in for Monarch Watch" page
and pledge your support before the end of the month. If you have any
questions about this campaign please feel free to drop us a line
anytime!
Chip in for Monarch Watch 2010: http://monarchwatch.org/chip
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Upcoming Monarch Watch Events
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Festival of Butterflies
August 6-8 & 13-15; 9a-6p
Powell Gardens, Kingsville, MO USA (30 miles east of Kansas City)
http://powellgardens.org
Monarch Watch Open House
September 11; 8a-3p
KU West Campus, Lawrence, KS USA
http://monarchwatch.org/openhouse
Monarch Tagging Event
September 18; 7:30a-11:30a
Baker-Haskell Wetlands, Lawrence, KS USA
http://monarchwatch.org/wetlands
If you have information about monarch events in your area please send
us the details via email to [log in to unmask] and we will try to post
them online via our blog, Facebook page, etc. Thank you!
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Green Home Challenge
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A couple of good friends of Monarch Watch (and long-time supporters)
have recently completed a "green" renovation of their 1939 farmhouse
and have been rewarded by being named one of ten finalists in the
CaliBamboo Green Home Challenge.
Please take 5-10 seconds to visit
http://www.calibamboo.com/greenhomechallenge.html and select "Joe &
Amy H." from the list before clicking the "Vote!" button. One vote per
person/computer; voting ends tomorrow, August 3rd at 12pm PST so don't
delay!
For more details of the renovation project (including lots of photos)
visit http://web.me.com/clatterbass/Renovation_2009-2010/Welcome.html
Looking at the bigger picture, beyond this little contest, I think
it's nice to highlight "green" home projects like this. Maybe folks
that take the time to vote will walk way with some ideas they can
implement at their own home...a lot of people making little
improvements can make a big difference.
Thanks!
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Monarch Watch on Facebook
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We created our Facebook page about a year ago and we now have more
than 3,100 people that officially "like" it. This has become a nice
way for people to ask questions, get help, and share their monarch
experiences with their words, photos, and videos. If you haven't
checked it out yet, give it a look:
http://facebook.com/monarchwatch
and if you have a Facebook account be sure to click on the "Like"
button near the top of the page to stay in touch.
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About This Monarch Watch List
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Monarch Watch (http://monarchwatch.org) is a nonprofit educational
outreach program based at the University of Kansas that focuses on the
monarch butterfly, its habitat, and its spectacular fall migration.
We rely on private contributions to support the program and we need
your help! Please consider making a tax-deductible donation. Complete
details are available at http://monarchwatch.org/donate or you can
simply call 800-444-4201 (KU Endowment Association) for more
information about giving to Monarch Watch.
If you have any questions about this email or any of our programs
please feel free to contact us anytime.
Thank you for your continued interest and support!
Monarch Watch
http://monarchwatch.org
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