Butterflies serve as important biodiversity indicators for ecosystem health and provide food for many organisms, such as migrating birds. There are more than 100 species of butterflies in New Hampshire, but data on their presence and distribution is limited. With butterflies using forests, fields, wetlands, and backyards all over the state, volunteer observations are critical to providing a landscape view of these species.
A six-part online training series hosted by the NH Butterfly Monitoring Network will provide information on butterflies in New Hampshire, butterfly biology and identification, and how to get involved with the Network. The NH Butterfly Monitoring Network is a collaborative effort to engage volunteers in counting and identifying butterflies across New Hampshire. Data collected by volunteers can contribute to our understanding of long-term trends in butterfly populations and inform conservation actions for both common and declining species.
Webinars in the series will include:
March 6 @ 6:30-7:30pm: Butterflies in New Hampshire
Heidi Holman, NH Fish & Game Department & Haley Andreozzi, UNH Extension
March 13 @ 6:30-7:30pm: Introduction to Identifying Butterflies
Mark Ellingwood, Wildlife Biologist and volunteer with the Harris Center for Conservation Education
March 20 @ 6:30-7:30pm: How to Identify Hairstreaks & Blue Butterflies
George DeWolf, Coordinator of the Baker Pond Butterfly Count
March 27 @ 6:30-7:30pm: How to Identify Fritillary and Checkerspot Butterflies
Amy Highstrom, Coordinator of the Lake Sunapee Butterfly Count
April 3 @ 6:30-7:30pm: How to Identify Brown & Skipper Butterflies
Rick Van de Poll, Ecologist and Research Director at Tin Mountain Conservation Center
April 10 @ 6:30-7:30pm: Become a Volunteer Guide: NH Butterfly Monitoring Network
Haley Andreozzi, UNH Extension
All butterfly enthusiasts are welcome, with or without prior experience!
The NH Butterfly Monitoring Network is led by NH Fish and Game Department and UNH Cooperative Extension with collaboration from partners statewide, including NH Audubon, Tin Mountain Conservation Center, the Harris Center for Conservation Education, and Ausbon Sargent Land Preservation Trust.
