The weather is warming and plants are blooming meaning the best part of spring is arriving… butterflies! Across the coast, several species are observed foraging for nectar. Commonly spotted butterflies include the eastern tiger swallowtail, cloudless sulfur, various skippers and hairstreaks, and, of course, the iconic monarch butterfly.
The monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus) has a fascinating ecology, from its lifecycle to habitat needs to migration. Monarchs rely on a specific group of plants, known as host plants, to reproduce. Milkweeds (genus Asclepias) are the only plants where monarchs lay their eggs. Once hatched, these young caterpillars feast on the milkweed leaves and transform through five different larva stages until they are big enough to begin metamorphosis.
Once the monarch emerges as an adult butterfly, it will be on its way to reproduce and lay more eggs until late summer. Then, the next generation of monarchs will begin their migration journey. (Learn more about the life cycle and migration of a monarch). Unfortunately, monarchs and availability of their vital host plants are declining.
There is increasing interest among folks along the Mississippi coast in monitoring, conservation and education related to monarchs, butterflies and other pollinators.
Project to offer hands-on training
Master Naturalists on the coast have recently proposed a comprehensive monarch project that will combine education and outreach with hands-on training for growing native milkweed and nectar plants from seed for backyard and restoration plantings.
To jump start this effort, we have partnered with Monarch Joint Venture in an effort to enhance monitoring of this charismatic species on the coast. The Monarch Joint Venture is an organization dedicated to the conservation of monarchs and their habitats. As an MJV partner, we hope to leverage momentum to enhance the understanding of monarch conservation on the Mississippi coast.
By engaging dedicated volunteers in consistent monitoring, we will help fill data gaps in the region, providing essential insights to larger national monitoring efforts.
About Master Naturalists
Mississippi Master Naturalists come from many professions and walks of life, including retired and working teachers, nurses, librarians, accountants, lawyers, farmers and scientists. They have a passion for giving back to their local communities and volunteer thousands of hours to environmental education projects.
Becoming a Master Naturalist requires the completion of a 40-hour field and classroom course, 40 hours of volunteer service annually, and eight annual advanced training hours. From there, Master Naturalists use their experiences and passion to improve the public’s understanding and appreciation of Mississippi’s natural resources and management through in-class presentations, outreach at festivals, guided nature walks, and more. Beyond these outreach efforts, they’re key to boots-on-the-ground volunteer efforts such as monitoring and restoration.
Those interested in becoming a Master Naturalist can do so by taking the Central or Coastal Basic Training course. Registration is currently open for the Central Course! This course will run from May 15-July 10, 2026 and is based out of central Mississippi. For more information and to register for the course, click here.
The Coastal Course is based out of Biloxi and will take place in the fall (September to October). To join the waitlist for the upcoming Coastal course on the coast, please reach out to me, Mandy Rigsby ([email protected]) to be added to the waitlist.
Meet the author
Mandy Rigsby
Ecotourism and Stewardship Specialist
As part of our Mississippi-Alabama Sea Grant Consortium Engagement Team, Mandy Rigsby works with nature-based tourism businesses to connect visitors to local nature and its wildlife. She also... Read more
Phone: 228-546-1020
Email: [email protected]