The Monarch House is located north of Central Pond next to the Pollinator Garden. Fenner’s Monarch House opened in 2017 through a generous gift from the Giddings Family Trust whose matriarch Kathy had a love of all things children, community, and nature. It has served as a citizen science research site since its opening.
Monarch butterflies and other invertebrate pollinators need your help! Volunteers collecting data nationwide are helping scientists monitor the species, improving knowledge on migration patterns and local disturbances.
What are we doing here at Fenner? For the 2026 season, staff and volunteers will collect monarchs during the first 2 stages of life; eggs and caterpillars to be raised and released onsite. We will also grow and monitor milkweed plants throughout the park to ensure monarchs have enough vegetation to lay eggs and provide the vital food needed to reach maturity. Once all data for the season has been collected it will be submitted and processed through the citizen science organizations affiliated with this project.
How can you help?
We are offering two different styles of volunteering this season.
Surveying and Data Collection: The first step in protecting a species is understanding. Help Fenner monitor various habitats for the presence of milkweed and butterflies at various life stages. Reared monarchs will
Monarch House Care: Help maintain the Monarch House by growing milkweed and rearing collected monarchs at various life stages. Duties also include cleaning the area as needed and updating educational signage.
Volunteers will be provided a short training by staff to ensure volunteers understand their duties and are comfortable navigating the park.
If you would like more information on how you can help, contact our Volunteer Coordinator at volunteer@mynaturecenter.org or by phone at 517-483-4245.
To sign up as a volunteer please fill out the form below.