Details:
Engage in community science by helping tag monarch butterflies! This fun and educational activity is perfect for all ages and helps biologists track the monarch migration down to Mexico. Drop in at our pop-up tent outside the main entrance at anytime to get all your supplies! No previous experience required. This is a drop-in program. Please check website for program cancellation.Questions? Contact MinnesotaValley@fws.gov or call (952) 854-5900 (press 1 to reach Visitor Services).Date and Time: Monday, August 18th, 2025 from 10am-2pmLocation: Meet us at the tent in front of the Bloomington Visitor Center.3815 American Blvd E, Bloomington, MN 55425Registration Information: This is a drop-in program.Activity Level: This program is entirely outdoors, with the option to go inside the visitor center and rest when it is open (Wednesday-Sunday).Most monarch butterflies can be found along a 0.25 mile trail.The activity is easy-active and at your own pace.What to Bring: Long pants and closed-toed shoes are recommended. Sunscreen and bug spray are also recommended.Accessibility: Accessibility at Bloomington Visitor Center:Restrooms and water fountains are located inside the visitor center Wednesday-Sunday, and a portable restroom is located outside. Handicap parking and dropoff available. Visitor center is flat aggregate or carpeted flooring with ramps to access all areas. There are benches and rest areas around the visitor center.Bluff Prairie Path is most popular for monarch tagging, which is 0.25 mile paved loop. Participants will have the option to go off-trail into tallgrass prairie to capture monarchs.Hillside and Spur trails are natural surface with has steep slopes, with a wooden staircase for a portion of it. Long Meadow Lake trail is accessed via these sloped trails, but itself is mostly flat and is natural surface. Depending on seasonal trail conditions, natural surface paths may be muddy (summer) or snowy (winter) and may not always be suitable for strollers or wheelchairs. There are no benches in the trail area. Trailheads are a 0.1-0.2 mile distance from the parking lot.The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is committed to providing access to these events for all participants. Please direct all requests for sign language interpreting services, close captioning, or other accommodation needs at least ten business days before the event to Oscar Hernandez at oscar_hernandez@fws.gov.
