Butterflies are considered indicators of biodiversity. Although backcountry areas can be biodiversity hotspots, we are lacking data on butterflies in these remote areas. Researchers need our help to collect data on their abundance, diversity, and distribution in the wild. These data will be used by land managers to inform conservation decisions on public lands.
Why Care About Butterflies?
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Pollinators, and the ecosystems that rely on their biological services, are threatened by habitat loss, agricultural practices, and diseases. Butterflies comprise approximately 20,000 species globally. They serve as important biodiversity indicators for ecosystem health and provide food for many organisms such as migrating birds. In 2017 and 2018 we collected baseline data on public lands in order to protect threatened species and conserve habitats. |
Black Swallowtail, PC: Zac Velarde
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Adventure Scientists volunteers search for butterflies in Hyalite Canyon, Montana. PC: Korena Howley/Adventure Scientists
Collecting Data That Will Drive Change
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The vast majority of wild pollinator data is collected in close proximity to urban areas.
Adventure Scientists has joined forces with the University of Arizona to establish the first large-scale backcountry dataset that identifies butterfly abundance, diversity, and distribution as well as host plant phases across remote portions of their ranges. |
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Volunteers navigate to specific areas of study using maps and apps such as Gaia GPS. Once there, they use the iNaturalist app to upload photos of the butterflies and host plants that they observe.
Once the data is processed and compiled, public land managers can use it to inform decisions about prescribed burning, protection of threatened species, and forest planning.
Once the data is processed and compiled, public land managers can use it to inform decisions about prescribed burning, protection of threatened species, and forest planning.
Field Site Locations
This map shows where Adventure Scientists volunteers have recorded butterflies and host plants. Click each point for details of the observation.
The Volunteer Experience
Our Pollinators Project is composed of two efforts, distinguished by geographies of study. In our Western U.S.-based project, volunteers are mobilized to collect data in pre-selected study sites across five states. In our global study, volunteers collect butterfly observations from remote sites of their choosing around the world.
Western U.S.We recruited, trained, and managed volunteer teams of trail runners, backpackers, and mountain bikers to net, photograph, and release butterflies at pre-selected backcountry sites several times a year. Volunteer applications for the 2018 field season have now closed. Our 2018 focus areas were:
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GlobalOur data-collecting efforts extend all over the globe.
We are seeking adventurers to gather baseline data on butterflies and host plants in remote areas. As a volunteer, without catching or handling the butterflies, you will photograph them and their host plants and upload the observations to the iNaturalist mobile app. You can select your own field sites anywhere in the world, as long as they are at least one mile from the nearest road. |