Community Invited to Tag Monarch Butterflies at ESU's PAROC
Emporia, KS (09/22/2026) — Join the Prophet Aquatic Research and Outreach Center at Emporia State University for an exciting, hands-on opportunity to learn how to tag monarch butterflies in Monarchs in Our Backyard. The first-ever monarch tagging event at PAROC will feature Prairie Steward volunteer Michele Kessler, who will invite guests to participate in real science and learn about the amazing journey behind the monarch's migration.
The event, hosted at PAROC on Sunday, Sept. 27, from 1 to 3 p.m., will introduce science and outdoor enthusiasts of all ages to educational activities focused on monarch biology, migration and the important role these butterflies play in our ecosystems. Participants will have the opportunity to learn about the monarch life cycle, migration and what they can do in their own community to support monarchs and other pollinators.
Attendees will then be guided through a monarch-tagging exercise with Kessler, who will demonstrate how butterflies are safely handled and tagged, explain how each tag contributes to ongoing monarch migration research and give participants an opportunity to take part in a worldwide citizen science project.
Other activities include creating monarch butterfly origami, experiencing what it's like to be a scientist for five minutes and receiving free milkweed seeds.
The event is free and open to the public. Register by emailing PAROC at paroc@emporia.edu.
About Emporia State University
Emporia State University offers a range of academic programs through its seven schools: Applied Health Sciences, Business and Technology, Humanities and Social Sciences, Library and Information Management and Library and Archives, Science and Mathematics and Visual and Performing Arts, along with The Teachers College.
ESU stands out for its innovative education practices. It ensures accessible education by offering in-state tuition rates to full-time undergraduate students from all lower-48 United States. Additionally, full-time undergraduates benefit from flat-rate tuition - students enrolled in 12 or more credit hours with at least one credit hour on campus pay a flat rate.
For more information on how to build your future at Emporia State University, please visit www.emporia.edu.