A Thank You Event + Pollinator Habitat Materials
Thank you to all of you who have been out documenting Utah's pollinators. Whether you're stewarding a site or recording data opportunistically, this crucial project in support of their conservation wouldn't be possible without you.
If you want to join in to answer questions about declining pollinator populations throughout the West, it's not too late to get involved.
A monarch butterfly on allium flowers. Credit: Amanda Barth
Our Virtual THANK YOU Event + Free Volunteer Habitat Materials
We're excited to host a virtual thank you event and provide our Utah Pollinator Pursuit volunteers with free pollinator habitat materials as a thank you for all your dedicated work.
What: Join us for project updates, some highlights from the season, and the opportunity to receive materials to help you support pollinators even further.
When: Wednesday, October 14, 7pm
Where: This is a virtual event
How to Join: Click this link to join: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82887759478?pwd=MDdPRGlIQVRlOVEvRUR0ZlZzcnJ4UT09. Meeting ID: 828 8775 9478. Password: monarch.
You can also call in at +1 669 900 6833 and enter passcode 4567893.
If you haven't yet volunteered, it's not too late! We'd love for you to join us on this project over the next month and see you at our event.
It's Not Too Late to Get Involved
Utah Pollinator Pursuit seeks to answer big questions about monarch and bumble bee populations—both of which have seen massive declines in recent years. As we learn more about species distribution, habitat, and concentration, we lay the groundwork for effective conservation plans.
To make this a reality, we depend on our dedicated volunteers like you.
This project can be done while social distancing, making it a wonderful way to stay safe and involved in an important cause. Simply follow these steps:
1 - Visit our Utah Pollinator Pursuit page to learn how you can turn your hikes, neighborhood walks, or backyard gardening into opportunities for conservation. Follow the steps outlined on the site to get started.
2 - Sign up to receive project updates.
3 - Watch our volunteer training to learn why the project is important, get information on plant and insect identification, and get tips on navigating project tools.
4 - Start recording data! Feel free to share this information with friends and family who may be interested. The more data the better!
Project Flyer
As you head into the field or your neighborhood, you may come across people who are curious about and want to learn more. You may also want to share information with neighbors to spread support for monarch and bumble bee conservation in Utah.
Please feel free to give them one of ourproject flyers. You can print flyers to take with you and keep in your car or backpack when you head out to collect data.
In the News
Check out this recent KSL news article to hear more about Utah Pollinator Pursuit and what's happening with pollinators in the community.
Here's an excerpt the article, written by Carter Williams:
"Butterflies have been a symbol for humanity's soul throughout history, but as monarch butterfly populations continue to drop at alarming rates, Amanda Barth believes they are now a symbol for something else.
She sees them as symbolic of problems in the ecosystem that pose threats to the future of ever-important pollinators. Their decline is an indication something is wrong.
'They’re like a canary in the coal mine. They indicate the health of the environment and ecosystem,' she said. 'If you can make the ecosystem healthier, then you might see more monarchs.'"
Read the rest of the article here.
Courtney is an artist in Salt Lake City. She's the creator of Wild Earth Market and the artist behind Little Canyon Press.
In the Field
Courtney Johnson became involved with the Pollinator Pursuit Project because she wanted to connect with nature on a deeper level.
She says, "By being a community scientist, I am in a position to really take in my surroundings, look closely at the things I’m observing, and spend time in nature without any distractions. Visiting the same site multiple times, watching the changes that occur, finding new flowers, or new signs of monarchs is like a treasure hunt every time! Wild Utah Project gives community members, like myself, a chance to make a difference in our local ecosystems."
"Magic of Pollination" Feedback
If you attended or watched the recording of our "Magic of Pollination" virtual presentation, will you take a moment to let us know what you thought?
Your thoughts are important to us as we create future free resources and presentations like this one to share with the community.
Thank You
Monarch photo by Amanda Barth (cropped).
Thank you for contributing to the conservation of Utah's pollinators. For more information or to get involved, check out the project page on our website.
Can't volunteer? That's okay! We at Wild Utah Project appreciate your support in whatever form it takes, whether that's volunteering, sharing our stories with friends, or donating.
Your monthly gift to Wild Utah Project can sustain this and other conservation projects enriching our human and wildlife communities. If you're able, consider making a monthly gift today.