OKC Zoo and Xerces Society Team Up to Track Butterflies with New Technology |
📡 A new high-tech method of tracking monarch butterfly migrations was recently used at the Oklahoma City Zoo during its Native Species Awareness Day. Working with The Xerces Society, OKC Zoo Conservation Scientist Dr. Emily Geest helped tag six monarchs using ultra-light radiotelemetry transmitters.
📱These solar-powered, Bluetooth-enabled tags—developed by Cellular Tracking Technologies and Cape May Point Science Center—are light enough not to interfere with flight, allowing anyone with a smartphone to track the butterflies in real time.
Traditional sticker tags were also used for smaller butterflies as part of the ongoing monarch tagging efforts.
💜 Each butterfly received a unique transmitter code and a flower-inspired name, like Violet and Beebalm. This new tracking method provides real-time data to help scientists better understand monarch migration and improve conservation strategies.
Want to follow these monarchs on their journey? Download the Project Monarch app. |
Monarchs on the Move Through Oklahoma |
🦋 Monarchs have been migrating through Oklahoma over the past few weeks, with a spectacular roost of thousands recently reported by farmer Landon Rodgers near Tipton. This marks the second year in a row the site has hosted a major roost, thanks to an abundance of golden crownbeard (Verbesina encelioides), a key nectar source during migration. 🌼
🙌 Okies for Monarchs, joined by Dr. Emily Geest, conservation scientist at the Oklahoma City Zoo and Botanical Garden, along with Landon and his mother Vickie, helped tag 190 monarchs at the site to support ongoing migration research. Soon, monarchs will begin winding up their journey through Oklahoma as they continue south through Texas, eventually reaching their overwintering grounds in Mexico later this month.
Want to Contribute?
📣 Become a community scientist by reporting your sightings to Journey North.
🏷️ If you’d like to get involved in tagging next season, visit Monarch Watch for tags and resources.
📡 Download the Project Monarch app to track monarchs outfitted with solar-powered, Bluetooth-enabled tags. Learn more about Project Monarch. |
Evolutions in Blue: Art for Monarch Conservation |
🎨 Amshot presents exhibITion: Evolutions in Blue, a new show featuring expressive watercolor, pen, and ink works by Oklahoma City artist Laurel Payne. This event blends art and ecology in support of monarch butterfly conservation.
🌸 Laurel’s work explores the connections between people and the natural world through layered imagery inspired by landscapes, flora, and the human form. “The beauty of landscapes, flowers, and the human body inspire me,” she says. “I’m captivated by the paradox of life—a mixture of purpose and unpredictability—which I try to reflect through planned and spontaneous layers.”
"We believe in the nexus of science, art, and nature,” says Katie Hawk, Executive Director of the Oklahoma Monarch Society. “This exhibition beautifully reflects that connection and helps raise awareness for monarch conservation.”
Come check out how Laurel’s work explores the emotional connections between people and the natural world through layered, expressive imagery.
🍻 Wine & Local Beer (21+ only) 🧀 Light Hors-d’oeuvres to snack and mingle 💸 Support Monarchs with a suggested $5 wristband donation and 10% of art sales going to the Oklahoma Monarch Society |
Shirts Now Ready, Check Your Inbox! |
We’re thrilled to share that for those who ordered your limited-edition Save the Monarchs tie-dye t-shirts are now ready!
👕 Shirts are now available for pickup and are being delivered to those who pre-ordered.
📬 Check your inbox for pickup details and shipping confirmation.
We are incredibly grateful for the outpouring of support—thanks to you, we not only reached our goal, we surpassed it. Our goal was to sell 250 shirts, and thanks to your enthusiasm, we sold 279 shirts and raised an amazing $3,296.88 for monarch conservation efforts across Oklahoma.
🧡 Thank you for helping us protect pollinators and plant more native habitat. 🧡Your support truly makes a difference! |
Show Your Pollinator Pride! |
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Upcoming Events The events below are from our statewide community calendar.
July 1, 2025 - July 31, 2026 Statewide Along Route 66
October 16, 6 pm - 7 pm Wild Ones, Webinar
October 16, 6 pm - 7 pm Heirloom Rustic Ales, Tulsa
October 16, 7 pm - 8 pm Monarch Joint Venture, Webinar
October 17, 1 pm - 4 pm Delmar Gardens Pollinator Waystation, OKC
October 18, 2 pm - 4 pm Delmar Gardens Pollinator Waystation, OKC
October 22, 12 pm - 1 pm Sam Noble Museum, Norman
October 23, 5 pm - 8 pm amshot, OKC
October 24, 10 am - 1 pm Delmar Gardens Pollinator Waystation, OKC
October 25, 9 am - 11 am Wilson Elementary School Garden, OKC
October 25, 2 pm - 4 pm Oxley Nature Center, Tulsa
October 25, 3 pm - 5 pm OU Schusterman Learning Center, Tulsa
October 28, 1 pm - 2 pm Monarch Joint Venture, Webinar
October 29, 5 pm - 6:30 pm Ralph's Ranch, OKC
November 8, 9 am - 1 pm Central Park Community Center, Broken Arrow
November 8 & 9, 8:30 am - 4:30 pm Tulsa Community College, Tulsa
November 15, 9 am - 10:30 am Mollie Spencer Farm, Yukon
November 18, 1 pm - 2 pm Monarch Joint Venture, Webinar |
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Help plant the path for pollinators! |
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