The Michigan Butterfly Network is a butterfly conservation program of the Kalamazoo Nature Center based in Kalamazoo, Michigan. The Michigan Butterfly Network's primary function is a citizen science based butterfly monitoring initiative involving partner cities across the state. Since 2012, citizen scientists (people like you!) have been gathering vital data on our local butterfly populations.
Butterflies are powerful indicators of the quality and health of ecosystems. Sensitive to land use and habitat changes, many of our butterfly species have been declining in abundance due to habitat loss, fragmentation, and climate change. We must monitor both common and rare butterflies during the summer months and we need your help!
Monitoring butterfly populations over several years allows us to better understand butterfly ecology, population changes, and to direct attention to species in decline before it is too late. Will you help make a difference in our state?