Monarch Migration Research Takes Flight at Westminster Village

Westminster Village continues to be a valuable destination for migrating Monarch butterflies – and now, thanks to groundbreaking technology, we’re helping researchers track their journey like never before.

Since 2016, Westminster Village has welcomed Monarchs to its thriving butterfly gardens, originally created and funded by resident Sara Hammond. That same year, Butterfly Wonderland’s Director of Education, Adriane Hopkins, discovered 30 Monarchs visiting and began tagging them with sticker tags that included a unique number and email address. Of those 30, three were eventually tracked to California in early 2017.

Fast forward to this past fall, Westminster Village played a key role in an exciting new research initiative. Butterfly Wonderland Foundation and Southwest Monarch Study brought in state-of-the-art solar-powered radio tags – each weighing only 0.06 grams – to track Monarchs in real time using a mobile app called Project Monarch. This tiny tag, powered by a solar panel and safely attached using eyelash glue, allows researchers and the public to monitor tagged butterflies using Bluetooth within a quarter-mile range.

Between October 17 and November 30, ten Monarchs – nine males and one female – were tagged at Westminster Village. Additional tagging took place at Scottsdale Community College and Desert Botanical Garden, where butterflies continued to be tracked for several weeks. One Monarch, tagged in early December, was observed for 24 days around the garden.

This collaborative research raises fascinating questions: What paths do Monarchs take to reach California or Mexico? How far can they travel with a tag? How will this technology enhance conservation efforts?

We’re proud that Westminster Village continues to support this vital work. As our butterfly gardens bloom each year, we remain a seasonal haven not only for Monarchs – but for discovery, education, and the joy of nature.