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Butterflies…we see them everywhere, fluttering and floating from one flower to the next. But how often do you stop and think about these funny insects? Did you know that monarch butterflies can migrate over 2,000 miles? How about that the top flight speed for a butterfly is 12 miles per hour? And that many butterflies can actually taste with their feet? Those are some interesting facts and there are plenty more to be discovered.

Butterflies have a vital role in nature. As pollinators, they help to ensure that plants reproduce. They are key players in our regions food web; especially as caterpillars when they are eaten by a variety of birds. They are also fun to observe, whether you are in your backyard, local park or the wilderness.

The Preserve needs your help in learning more about the butterflies that live in the Central Valley. Join the Cosumnes River Preserve for its annual Butterfly Count which covers all public trails around the Visitor Center. Help to capture (then release), identify and catalogue the numbers of more than twenty species that live in this area. In years past, volunteers were able to collect more than a thousand butterflies.

The Cosumnes Butterfly Count takes place on Saturday, June 18th and starts at 9:00 a.m. Participants should meet at the Visitor Center deck, located at 13501 Franklin Blvd. (directions are available on the website). Collecting will continue until approximately 1:00 p.m. Participants should bring water, lunch and snacks, sunscreen, dress appropriately for being outdoors and please bring binoculars if you have some. Insect repellant, identification charts and a limited number of butterfly nets will be provided. If you have your own butterfly net you are more than welcome to bring it!

 

Please note that if you are signing up and you would like to bring your family, please still only sign up as one participant! We encourage kids of all ages to join the fun!

 

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

Annual Butterfly Count