The Indiana Wildlife Federation leads the statewide conservation efforts for the Monarch Butterfly. This has included hosting the Indiana Monarch Summit in 2017 which brought together over 50 statewide organizations, agencies, and partners to lay the groundwork for the Indiana Monarch Conservation Plan. One goal of the plan was to create this online resource that would act as a clearinghouse for Indiana monarch and pollinator conservation data, research, best management practices (BMPs), and events.
MONARCH EVENTS CALENDAR: This calendar features statewide monarch/pollinator events like trainings, public education opportunities, webinars, and anticipated action/news from US Fish & Wildlife Service. View the calendar to find remote and in-person opportunities to promote the conservation of pollinators. Help us share Indiana monarch/pollinator conservation events by uploading your event to the calendar for review.
Agricultural and Rural Lands, Public and Protected Lands, Utilities and Rights of Ways, Urban and Municipal Lands, Outreach and Education
In September of 2017, the Indiana Wildlife Federation convened a summit of state and federal agencies, non-governmental organizations, landowners, businesses, educators and land managers to begin defining a major effort to address the needs of the declining monarch butterfly in Indiana and our region. The Indiana Monarch Conservation Summit generated the first round of ideas, strategies and goals that would eventually emerge as a cohesive plan for monarch and pollinator conservation in Indiana. Through collaboration and volunteerism, we hope to accomplish the recovery goals of this document and prevent the need for the monarch butterfly to be listed as a threatened species. Plan version updated 12-2020.
Outreach and Education
The Indiana Wildlife Federation (IWF) routinely hosts Monarch Tagging events as a tool to educate both youth and
adults about the unique, fragile and wonderous life cycle of the Monarch Butterfly (Danaus plexippus). At these
events, we train learners to gently capture monarch butterflies in butterfly nets and affix a small numbered sticker
to the hindwing. These events can happen at any outdoor location where monarchs are routinely present. Stickers and datasheets are ordered through the international monarch monitoring program called Monarch Watch.
Agricultural and Rural Lands, Public and Protected Lands, Utilities and Rights of Ways, Urban and Municipal Lands, Outreach and Education
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service – Monarch Butterfly Conservation Website
Utilities and Rights of Ways
Monarch Candidate Conservation Agreement with Assurances on Energy and Transportation Lands.
Agricultural and Rural Lands, Public and Protected Lands, Utilities and Rights of Ways, Urban and Municipal Lands, Outreach and Education
XERCES: Pollinator Organic Site Prep
Agricultural and Rural Lands
XERCES: Inventory and Design Opportunities for Pollinator Habitat on Working Lands
PDF Slide Presentation with Notes
Urban and Municipal Lands, Outreach and Education
USDA: Pollinator Garden Design Guide
Outreach and Education
This Facebook page was developed to share resources about butterflies native to Indiana, including the Monarch Butterfly. There are links to additional resources from across the country. This was created by a former Purdue Extension Educator who taught thousands of people about pollinators and specifically butterflies, how to attract them to your yard, information about host and nectar plants and more.
Agricultural and Rural Lands, Public and Protected Lands, Utilities and Rights of Ways, Urban and Municipal Lands
XERCES: Establishing Pollinator Meadows From Seed
Agricultural and Rural Lands, Public and Protected Lands, Utilities and Rights of Ways, Urban and Municipal Lands, Outreach and Education
Important Plants of the Monarch Butterfly: Midwest Region
United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)
Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS)
Agricultural and Rural Lands
USDA Report: Attractiveness of Agricultural Crops to Pollinating Bees for the Collection of Nectar and/or Pollen
Outreach and Education
Recommended Indiana native plants for attracting pollinators.