Blue Ridge Parkway - Citizen Science Volunteer - Butterfly Monitoring

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Become a Citizen Scientist and help the Blue Ridge Parkway monitor its native butterflies! This is a great opportunity to get outside and get some exercise all while doing important work with some of nature's most beautiful creatures.

This position supports the Blue Ridge Parkway by collecting observational data for long-term monitoring of Parkway natural resources. The focus of this position is to record observations of butterflies along designated routes and trails in both North Carolina and Virginia, following the protocols of the Carolinas or Blue Ridge Butterfly Monitoring Program.

Major Duties:

• Volunteer counters will either walk designated routes in fields approximately 5 meters from the fence line or on designated trail segments between approximately 10:00 AM and 4:30 PM when sky cover, temperature and wind conditions are suitable, identifying (to the best of their abilities) all butterflies encountered within a 5m radius moving half circle in front of the walking counter. One or more volunteer assistants can walk a step or more behind the counter to record observations and assist with identification, but this program can be conducted by a solo observer.

• Volunteers will help designate routes and trails by taking images of start/stop and habitat transition points, recording coordinates, and describing how to walk the trail for the count.

• Volunteers may step a short distance off of designated routes or trails to get a better look at butterflies and may take images of butterflies to assist with identification. Use of binoculars, especially those with close-focus, is very useful for identification.

• Volunteers will record data on a printed data sheet.

• Volunteer will enter data in an on-line database that will require the use of electronic devices such as a smart phone, tablet or a personal computer to enter data.

Knowledge and Skills Required:

• Ability to follow oral and written instructions.

• Good organizational and communication skills.

• Ability to use technology (smart phone, laptop computer, etc...) to enter data into an online database.

• An interest and ability to walk the same trail on multiple occasions during the warm months, walking slow enough to notice and identify butterflies.

• An interest in natural history and in helping the Blue Ridge Parkway and scientists to monitor the health of butterfly populations.

• Ability to use binoculars and possibly some sort of camera (cell phones can usually work). Having at least a pair of binoculars is extremely helpful.

• Knowledge and ability to identify common eastern butterfly species OR a willingness to self-teach this skill

• Volunteer work may take place in direct sunlight, so wearing a hat and sunscreen will be required.

• Some routes will require walking through tall vegetation where ticks, biting or stinging insects may be encountered.

Start Date - 2025-05-23

End Date - 2025-10-31