There is a quiet shift that happens in the Coulee Region as late summer settles into early autumn. The hum of lawnmowers slows, the air along the Mississippi turns crisp, and the gardens in Myrick Park become dotted with vibrant flashes of orange and black. It’s monarch tagging season in La Crosse.
If you happen to stop by The Nature Place this October, you might notice something charming. While the summer programs have wrapped up and planning for school visits is underway, Environmental Education Program Manager Cindy Blobaum — affectionately known across the River City as “Critter Cindy” — can rarely sit still for more than five minutes.
With net in hand and a sharp gaze tuned to the gardens outside, Cindy admits to having what she calls “monarch eyes.” The moment an orange blur drifts past the window, she’s out the door, ready to catch, study, and protect one of nature’s most remarkable travelers.
What is Monarch Tagging?
Now in her fifth year at The Nature Place, Cindy’s joy for the natural world is contagious. While public monarch tagging events aren’t strictly scheduled due to the unpredictable nature of migration patterns, students and young participants in local environmental education programs get a front-row seat to this extraordinary process through Monarch Watch, a renowned citizen-science initiative.
The process is gentle and precise:
- Catching: Carefully holding the butterfly to avoid damaging delicate wings.
- Identifying: Determining the sex of the monarch.
- Tagging: Applying a tiny, lightweight identification sticker to the wing.
- Recording & Releasing: Documenting the tag number before sending the butterfly back on its path.
These tiny tags allow researchers to track monarch migration routes all the way to their overwintering grounds in Mexico.
“It’s personal,” says Cindy. “We release them with best wishes and the fervent hope they make it to Mexico… I eagerly await the tag recovery report that comes out in late April or early May to see if one or more of our tags is listed!”
A Gentle “Adios” in Myrick Park
The science behind migration tracking is vital, but what happens in the gardens at The Nature Place reaches far beyond data collection.
Before launching these fragile travelers into the autumn sky, children often lean in close to whisper a gentle “Adios!” or give a soft kiss goodbye. It’s a bittersweet, unforgettable moment — a tiny gesture of love for a creature that will travel thousands of miles and never be seen by them again.
It is precisely these small, heartfelt moments that connect our young community members to the larger ecosystem, teaching them how our local La Crosse habitats support life thousands of miles away.
Visiting The Nature Place This Season
The Nature Place has 195 monarch tags to place before the migration season ends in mid-October, and Cindy plans to use every single one.
While public tagging hours aren’t fixed, visitors and families are always welcome to wander the public gardens during regular facility hours. If you’re lucky, you just might spot “Critter Cindy” net in hand, demonstrating her “monarch eyes” in action and inspiring the next generation of River City conservationists.
Plan Your Visit:
- Where: The Nature Place 789 Myrick Park Drive, La Crosse, WI 54601
- When: Now through mid-October
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Can I attend a monarch tagging event at The Nature Place?
A: Because monarch arrivals depend heavily on daily weather and migration timing, there are no scheduled public tagging times. However, monarch tagging is integrated into school and youth group environmental education programs throughout early autumn, and visitors can explore the gardens during public hours.
Q: Where do monarchs from Wisconsin migrate to?
A: Monarchs tagged in La Crosse travel thousands of miles south to the oyamel fir forests of central Mexico, where they hibernate over the winter.
Q: How does monarch tagging help butterflies?
A: Tagging helps scientists track migration paths, weather impacts, and survival rates through tag recovery programs like Monarch Watch, informing future conservation strategies.
