Monarch Monitoring in San Francisco

Monarch butterflies captivate us with their beauty and the wonders of migration, and the urgency of their population decline. The good news? SF is one of the earliest places monarchs have been documented in CA and they're still here!

This opportunity has been timed to the Western Monarch Count. We'll start at 9:00 at Fort Mason for the official count (optional) then sit in the Community Garden from 10-11 to hear from Mia Monroe about the latest news on the status of western monarchs.

Then, as an optional excursion, we'll carpool to Rob Hill on the Presidio to examine this historically reconstructed overwintering refuge.

Program:

9:00-10:00 (Optional) - Join Mia for the official monarch count at Fort Mason. Morning is the best time to spot the butterflies roosting in the trees.

10:00-11:00 - Mia will share all the latest news about fluctuations in the Western Monarch population, with up-to-the-minute reports from the overwintering counts.

1 1:00-12:30 (Optional) - Optional trip via carpool to Rob Hill, to search for overwintering sites - rain or shine! We'll convene at the Rob Hill Picnic area at 11:30.

Event Leader: Mia Monroe

Mia volunteers with the Xerces Society and is co-founder of the Western Monarch Count, doing everything she can to educate people on saving the Western Monarch and about their unique lifecycles. Mia recently retired from the National Park Service at Golden Gate National Recreation Area.

Event Details:

The event will take place in two locations: Fort Mason Community Garden and Rob Hill at the Presidio. Participants will learn the tools they need to help record monarch sightings throughout the city over the winter.

Preparation:

To get the most out of butterfly monitoring, you may want to download iNaturalist app. Dress warmly with raingear. Bring binoculars (optional but recommended).

Meeting Location:

Meet at the picnic tables at the Fort Mason Community Garden any time between 9:00-10:00am.

Transportation:

Muni service to the site includes the 19, 28, 30, 43, and 49 busses. The PresidiGo also serves Rob Hill.

Weather:

This event will occur rain or shine - bring the appropriate gear!

To learn more:

• Western Monarch Call to Action
• Monarch Joint Venture
• Western Monarch Count
• "The Imperiled Monarch & What San Franciscans Can Do"
• "The Bounciness of Butterflies"

Cost:

This walk is FREE to attend (with RSVPs kindly requested).

Donations (in cash) can be made to Nature in the City on the day of the event. Special bonus! Everyone who donates $10 and above will receive a copy of the Nature in the City Map.

Or donate to Nature in the City using our secure online form, and we’ll send you early announcements to all our walks, a video update from leadership, and monthly emails with a full events listing, local nature information, and access to more fun perks.

Info: We need to start early to spot the butterflies! Mia will share techniques for spotting the roosting monarchs. We'll also have coffee, tea, and snacks available.

Info: Mia will share all the latest news about fluctuations in the Western Monarch population, with up-to-the-minute reports from the overwintering counts. Continue nibbling on the provided snacks.

Info: Optional trip via carpool to Rob Hill, to search for overwintering sites - rain or shine! We'll convene at the Rob Hill Picnic area at 11:30.

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Fort Mason Community Garden, Pope Road, San Francisco, United States