Butterfly research event seeks volunteers

Maricopa County residents can take part in a national pollinator survey this September by joining a butterfly monitoring event at Estrella Mountain Regional Park.

The event, scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 20, from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., is part of the Parks for Pollinators BioBlitz, a nationwide citizen science initiative led by the National Recreation and Park Association in partnership with local agencies.

Hosted by Maricopa County Parks and Recreation in collaboration with the Central Arizona Butterfly Association, the event will give volunteers the chance to learn butterfly identification skills and contribute to long-term conservation efforts.

Participants will meet at the Estrella park’s Nature Center, located at 14805 W. Vineyard Ave. in Goodyear. Advance registration is required, and participants are asked to bring water, a snack, sunscreen, a hat and closed-toed shoes. Optional equipment includes a camera, binoculars, or a butterfly identification book.

The monitoring program aims to track butterfly population trends, species richness, and diversity in the region. Data collected during the BioBlitz will be shared with regional experts and used to inform land and habitat management decisions across Maricopa County.

Attendees will receive hands-on training in butterfly identification and monitoring. Volunteers will also receive printed butterfly brochures as part of the program’s educational materials.

County officials said the monitoring events, held twice a year in spring and fall, rely on community volunteers to help gather critical data. Participation is open to adults 18 and older, with youth ages 13 and up allowed to participate under parental supervision.

The workshop held earlier in the week introduces the identification and monitoring methods used during the Saturday event. Organizers describe the experience as a unique opportunity to contribute to local conservation efforts while learning about native pollinator species in a desert environment.

More information and registration details are available at maricopacountyparks.net.