Milkweeds, Monarchs and Maine

This event has been cancelled!

A summer workshop to learn about Monarch butterfly life cycle and anatomy, the interaction between butterfly and milkweeds of Maine through lecture, art and field exploration. In this half-day workshop we will review the life cycle of a Monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus), populations status, migration and related research including citizen science opportunities. We will also talk about the four native varieties of milkweed in Maine. The second half of the session will include observing, sketching and investigating milkweed nearby.

Handouts will be provided. Bring a journal/sketch pad and drawing tools of your choice. A stool will be useful while doing field work. Hat, sunscreen, repellant - be comfortable while outside.

Note that parking around Social Capital is limited. You may need to park around the corner on High Street or farther downhill on Spring St.

Instructor: Cyrene Slegona has been engaged with Monarchs since she was a young girl in Lincolnville. As a classroom teacher she integrated work with them in grades 1 through 7. Since retirement she continues to work with citizen science projects as a Maine Master Naturalist as well as rearing, tagging and releasing Monarchs each summer. She gives presentations and workshops concerning Monarchs as an indicator species for the environment and the significance of milkweed as an essential plant for many pollinators and insects. She is a graduate of the University of Maine with a Master's degree in Education.