Every Observation Matters!
31 July to 9 August 2026
The International Monarch Monitoring Blitz is an annual North American event dedicated to research aimed at protecting the monarch butterfly. The goal? To take a snapshot of the presence of milkweed and monarch butterflies in your area. We can all contribute to the Blitz by participating in Mission Monarch from July 31 to August 9.
If you would like to learn more about the 2026 International Monarch Monitoring Blitz, visit the Commission for Environmental Cooperation’s Blitz website.
For more information, visit the Facebook event page (coming soon), read our Save the Date Newsletter, or simply send us an email!
2026 Activity!
Several events will take place across North America during the Blitz. Here is a list of events taking place in Canada. Join us!
Booths and outreah activities at Les Butineries
- Where : insectarium gardens
- When : july 24 to 26, 2026
- Time : from 10 a.m to 5 p.m
Description : Les Butineries is a family-friendly event featuring fun, pollinator-inspired activities and information booths where you can meet and chat with experts. Come celebrate pollinating insects! Discover these tiny heroes of nature through a colourful and engaging program that will inspire and equip you to take action to help protect them. A Monarch Metamorphosis activity will also take place each day from 12:15 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. This interactive session invites you to explore the fascinating life cycle of the monarch butterfly, from a tiny egg to a graceful flying adult.
For more information, here is the event’s full program.
Saint-Laurent Eco-quartier Educational Booth
- Where : Bibliothèque du Boisé, 2727 Boulevard Thimens
- When : july 30, 2026
- Time : from 1 p.m to 4 p.m
Description : During the activity, you will discover the monarch’s life cycle, its impressive migrations, and the main conservation challenges it faces. You will also have the opportunity to take part in a survey activity in the Marcel-Laurin Park woodland. Equipped with magnifying glasses and identification sheets, set out to search for monarchs and the plants essential to their survival. This activity is a great opportunity to contribute to a citizen science effort while exploring local biodiversity. No experience is required : just bring your curiosity and a keen sense of observation!
For more information, here is the link to the Facebook event.
Lachine Eco-quartier Educational Booth
- Where : Lachine, Promenade Père Marquette, à côté du Lieu historique national du Commerce-de-la-Fourrure-à-Lachine
- When : july 31, 2026
- Time : from 2 p.m to 6 p.m
Description : visit the Lachine Éco-quartier Educational Booth to learn more about the monarch butterfly, its fascinating migration, and how to use citizen science to protect it. The team will answer your questions and provide you with all the materials you need to start identifying monarch butterflies and milkweed plants.
For more information, here is the link to the event’s page.
Educational outreach activity and survey at HLF Farm
- Where: Ferme HLF du Lac-Simon
- When : august 2 and 9, 2026
- Time : from 1 p.m to 4 p.m
Description : this free activity is the ultimate agritourism experience for learning more about the monarch butterfly and the ALUS program in the Outaouais region. A visit to the HLF Farm at Lac Simon will give you the opportunity to learn about the importance of habitat protection and milkweed in the context of organic vegetable farming. You’ll also be able to explore windbreaks and riparian strips established through the ALUS program. This unique experience will not only allow you to observe these features but also to actively contribute to the Mission Monarch citizen science program.
For more information, here is the link to the Facebook event and the HLF Farm website.
Partners
The Monarch Blitz is organized by a collaboration of organizations across North America, including: the Commission for Environmental Cooperation (CEC), the Insectarium de Montréal | Espace pour la vie, Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC), the Canadian Wildlife Federation (CWF), the Monarch Joint Venture, Journey North, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), the Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation, Profauna, A.C. and Mexico’s National Commission of Protected Natural Areas (CONANP).
