North American Butterfly Association (NABA)
ORMN Project Contact: Sue Weis - sue.weis.99(at)gmail.com
Project Background
Formed in 1992, the North American Butterfly Association (NABA) works to save butterfly species throughout North America. It has contributed to developing a long-term survival plan for Monarch butterflies, and it has developed educational programs about butterflies for schools, park rangers, and naturalists. NABA’s publications are changing the way people view butterflies, how to find them, how to identify them, how to create successful butterfly gardens, and how to photograph them.
In July of each year, NABA-associated counts of butterfly populations occur throughout North America. The results of the counts are shared with professional lepidopterists and scientific researchers. The data gathered during a count can indicate population changes and health within a species. Since 2011, ORMN has organized the NABA Washington, VA, count which includes a number of sites in Rappahannock County.
Formed in 1992, the North American Butterfly Association (NABA) works to save butterfly species throughout North America. It has contributed to developing a long-term survival plan for Monarch butterflies, and it has developed educational programs about butterflies for schools, park rangers, and naturalists. NABA’s publications are changing the way people view butterflies, how to find them, how to identify them, how to create successful butterfly gardens, and how to photograph them.
In July of each year, NABA-associated counts of butterfly populations occur throughout North America. The results of the counts are shared with professional lepidopterists and scientific researchers. The data gathered during a count can indicate population changes and health within a species. Since 2011, ORMN has organized the NABA Washington, VA, count which includes a number of sites in Rappahannock County.
CS (Citizen Science) Activities with North American Butterfly Association (NABA)
Clifton Institute, Warrenton, Va, Butterfly Count
On the designated NABA Clifton Institute count day, participants walk in groups, identifying species and counting individual butterflies in the designated area. One need not be experienced; an identification refresher is conducted immediately prior to the count. Data are reported to NABA.
On the designated NABA Clifton Institute count day, participants walk in groups, identifying species and counting individual butterflies in the designated area. One need not be experienced; an identification refresher is conducted immediately prior to the count. Data are reported to NABA.
- Location: In and around Fauquier County. Meet at Clifton Institute Field Station, 6712 Blantyre Road
Warrenton, VA. Click for directions. - Physical Requirements/Safety Hazards: Involvement in the Clifton Institute Butterfly Count may include exposure to heat, cold, dampness, rain, sun, ticks, poison ivy, snakes and insect bites/stings. Walking over flat to moderate terrain is required. Sturdy protective footwear is advisable. Bring water and close-focusing binoculars, if you have them. Also suggested: bag lunch, hat, sunscreen & insect repellent, butterfly field guide, camera.
- Special Requirements: Pre-registration on the Clifton Institute website is required. Fee is $3.00.
- Time Commitment: 1 day per count, usually the last Saturday in July.
Island Ford, Va, Butterfly Count
On the designated NABA Island Ford count day, participants walk in groups, identifying species and counting individual butterflies in the designated area. One need not be experienced. Data are reported to NABA.
On the designated NABA Island Ford count day, participants walk in groups, identifying species and counting individual butterflies in the designated area. One need not be experienced. Data are reported to NABA.
- Location: Designated locations along the Shenandoah River and Skyline Drive. The group meets in Elkton.
- Physical Requirements/Safety Hazards: Involvement in the Island Ford Butterfly Count may include exposure to heat, cold, dampness, rain, sun, ticks, poison ivy, snakes and insect bites/stings. Walking over flat to moderate terrain is required. Sturdy protective footwear is advisable. Bring water and close-focusing binoculars, if you have them. Also suggested: bag lunch, hat, sunscreen & insect repellent, butterfly field guide, camera.
- Special Requirements: Pre-registration is required. Fee is $3.00. Contact Mike Smith - foresmiths(at)comcast.net
- Time Commitment: 1 day per count, usually the end of June or the beginning of July.
Report volunteer hours and travel time on VMN-Better Impact.
Shenandoah National Park Butterfly Count
On the designated NABA Shenandoah National Park count day, participants walk in groups, identifying species and counting individual butterflies in the designated area. One need not be experienced; an identification refresher is conducted immediately prior to the count. Data are reported to NABA.
On the designated NABA Shenandoah National Park count day, participants walk in groups, identifying species and counting individual butterflies in the designated area. One need not be experienced; an identification refresher is conducted immediately prior to the count. Data are reported to NABA.
- Location: Numerous designated locations along Skyline Drive and around Luray, including at Big Meadows and at White House Farm Foundation. The participants counting in Big Meadows meet at the Byrd Visitor Center.
- Physical Requirements/Safety Hazards: Involvement in the Shenandoah National Park Butterfly Count may include exposure to heat, cold, dampness, rain, sun, ticks, poison ivy, snakes and insect bites/stings. Walking over flat to moderate terrain is required. Some areas may be marshy or rocky. Sturdy protective footwear is advisable. Bring water and close-focusing binoculars, if you have them. Also suggested: bag lunch, hat, sunscreen & insect repellent, butterfly field guide, camera.
- Special Requirements: Pre-registration is required. Fee is $3.00. Contact Mike Smith - foresmiths(at)comcast.net (SNP coordinator), or Mara Meisel - mara_meise(at)nps.gov(Big Meadows count leader) or Chris Anderson - canderson(at)whfarmfoundation.org (White House Farm Foundation count leader)
- Time Commitment: 1 day per count, usually the second Saturday in July.
Report volunteer hours and travel time on VMN-Better Impact.
Sky Meadows/Thompson Wildlife Management Area Butterfly Count
On the designated NABA Sky Meadows/Thompson Wildlife Management Area count day, participants walk in groups, identifying species and counting individual butterflies in the designated area. Data are reported to NABA.
On the designated NABA Sky Meadows/Thompson Wildlife Management Area count day, participants walk in groups, identifying species and counting individual butterflies in the designated area. Data are reported to NABA.
- Location: Designated locations in and around Sky Meadows/ Thompson WMA in northwest Fauquier County.
- Physical Requirements/Safety Hazards: Involvement in the Sky Meadows/Thompson WMA Butterfly Count may include exposure to heat, cold, dampness, rain, sun, ticks, poison ivy, snakes and insect bites/stings. Walking over flat to moderate terrain is required. Sturdy protective footwear is advisable. Bring water and close-focusing binoculars, if you have them. Also suggested: bag lunch, hat, sunscreen & insect repellent, butterfly field guide, camera.
- Special Requirements: Pre-registration is required. Fee varies. Contact Scott Baron - baron.scott(at)gmail.com
- Time Commitment: 1 day per count, third Sunday in June (weather permitting).
Report volunteer hours and travel time on VMN-Better Impact.
Washington, Va, Butterfly Count
Activity Contact: Sue Weis - sue.weis.99(at)gmail.com
On the designated NABA Washington, Va, count day, participants walk in groups, identifying species and counting individual butterflies in the designated area. Some experience identifying butterflies is necessary. ORMN members organize the count, lead count teams, keep notes on species identified, take photographs to aid in identification, and report data using the NABA online reporting system.
Activity Contact: Sue Weis - sue.weis.99(at)gmail.com
On the designated NABA Washington, Va, count day, participants walk in groups, identifying species and counting individual butterflies in the designated area. Some experience identifying butterflies is necessary. ORMN members organize the count, lead count teams, keep notes on species identified, take photographs to aid in identification, and report data using the NABA online reporting system.
- Location: Designated locations in and around Rappahannock County.
- Physical Requirements/Safety Hazards: Involvement in the Washington, Va, Butterfly Count may include exposure to heat, cold, dampness, rain, sun, ticks, poison ivy, snakes and insect bites/stings. Walking over flat to moderate terrain is required. Sturdy protective footwear is advisable. Bring water and close-focusing binoculars, if you have them. Also suggested: bag lunch, hat, sunscreen & insect repellent, butterfly field guide, camera.
- Special Requirements: Some familiarity with the identification of butterfly species.
- Time Commitment for the Count: 1 day, usually the middle Saturday in July.
Report volunteer hours and travel time on VMN-Better Impact.