Great opportunities are available for those interested in becoming “butterfly monitors” to help collect information on butterflies that can be found in northwest Indiana. The Illinois Butterfly Monitoring Network (IBMN) is a citizen scientist program monitoring the health of butterfly populations throughout northeastern and central Illinois; they would like to complement the information they gather by including monitoring sites in adjacent northwest Indiana.
Therefore, the IBMN is offering a free workshop through the Valpo Parks on being a butterfly monitor. In addition, one can also learn about plants to use in creating a butterfly habitat to attract them. Participants should bring a notebook and writing instrument and are encouraged to view information available at the IBMN website www.bfly.org before attending.
The workshop is on Saturday, February 18 at the Forest Park Golf Course clubhouse, 1155 Sheffield Blvd. in Valparaiso. Registration deadline is February 16. To sign up for this free opportunity, call the Valpo Parks Horticulture office at 219.531.4678.