Monarch Tagging

How in the world do you tag a monarch butterfly? Find out at our annual Monarch Tagging program at Hitchcock Nature Center on Saturday, September 26th. Learn more about monarch butterflies, their unusual lifestyle and life cycle, and miraculous migration to Mexico as we teach you how we catch and handle monarchs for research.

Following the presentation participants are invited to hit the trails in search of monarch butterflies. Captured butterflies can be returned to the Loess Hills Lodge for tagging & release by staff. You are welcome to bring your own butterfly net & we will have nets available for use. Please dress for the weather & don't forget the insect repellent, sunblock, & water as this program will be held outdoors.

Cost for this event is $3.00 per person - Children age 3 & under are FREE & do not need a reservation. This fee includes your admission to the park & use of equipment. Online pre-registration is required by Wednesday, September 23rd as space is limited. Due to the popularity of this annual program early registration is recommended.

Program sessions will be held at 9:00 a.m. 11:00 a.m. 1:00 p.m. & 3:00 p.m. If you preferred session is full please consider checking other sessions for availability before joining the waitlist. For questions not answered online please call 712-545-3283, registrations will not be taken over the phone.

*In the event of cancellation due to inclement weather participants will be notified via the email address provided during registration.

Due to concerns regarding COVID-19 the format for this annual event has been adjusted to keep participants & staff as safe as possible.

• This event has been moved entirely outdoors, please dress for the weather & plan accordingly
• Attendance numbers at this event have been reduced to 25 per programming session 
• Participants are asked to wear masks when participating in the presentation & group activities, masks may be removed during the independent butterfly netting portion
• Tagging of all insects caught during this event will be conducted by staff & volunteers, program participants may observe from a safe distance
• All participants must observe recommended social distancing of a minimum of 6' between themselves & other family groups/participants
• All equipment will be sanitized between uses & there will be no sharing of equipment between family groups/participants

Thank you for understanding.

This event is not pet friendly. Please meet at the Loess Hills Lodge. 

Cancellation Policy

Guests may cancel their reservation for a full refund up to 1 week (7 days) prior to the program date by calling 712-545-3283 and speaking with staff directly. Cancellations received less than 1 week (7 days) in advance of the event will not be refunded. Fees for programs cancelled by PCC due to weather or other circumstances will be refunded.