As we look toward spring and the arrival of cherished seasonal events such as migration and spring blooms, we are pleased to announce that Journey North will move from the UW–Madison Arboretum to the Monarch Joint Venture.
The Legacy of Journey North
The program, founded in 1994 by Elizabeth Howard, was groundbreaking for its accessible use of technology in science classrooms. As citizen science research developed in the 1990s and 2000s, Journey North became a natural fit outside the classroom as well. It is widely known for its value in tracking species migration through volunteer-submitted observations and real-time map visualizations.
During its first 25 years, Journey North was largely supported by the Annenberg Foundation as a classroom educational tool. In 2019, the program came to the Arboretum under Karen Oberhauser, a renowned monarch conservation biologist who became the director in 2017. One of Oberhauser’s priorities was to grow the Arboretum’s citizen science program as an important way to engage the general public in science and conservation-related research.
One of Journey North’s greatest strengths is its ease of use for participants of any age and background, making it a popular and accessible program. Journey North volunteers provide real-time sightings of monarchs, hummingbirds, orioles, robins, and other easily identifiable bird species. These programs capture more than 30,000 sightings each year.
Why the Transition to MJV?
While at the UW Arboretum, the program had dedicated staff for project development, data verification, and communications. These staff members strengthened partnerships and collaboration, and improved the website, data management, data sharing, and user interfaces.
Citizen science continues to be an important part of the Arboretum’s programming under the new director, Patrick Bohlen. He and former director Karen Oberhauser began exploring whether there may be a better long-term home for Journey North, given its broad geographic scope. Because the monarch project is a large component of Journey North’s reported sightings and maps, the MJV entered in as an enthusiastic and willing candidate to maintain and grow Journey North moving forward. Karen and Patrick agreed it would be an ideal home. The MJV also focuses on species conservation in general and will explore ways to incorporate educational and conservation programming that take advantage of the broad scope of Journey North.
A Shared Vision for the Future
Patrick emphasizes:
“The value of healthy biodiverse landscapes in supporting wildlife and human communities are high priorities for the Arboretum. Journey North enhanced citizen science and public engagement during its time here, and it will continue to have that impact at its new home with the Monarch Joint Venture.”
MJV is a long-standing organization dedicated to conserving monarch butterflies and other pollinators across the monarch range. Since 2008, the MJV has been a leader in expanding partnerships and collaboration, advancing science and monitoring efforts, educating communities across North America, and protecting and improving grassland habitats to support monarchs and other species.
Wendy Caldwell, Executive Director of the Monarch Joint Venture, says:
"Welcoming Journey North into the Monarch Joint Venture strengthens our ability to support conservation through education and citizen science. This program’s long-standing impact aligns seamlessly with our mission, and we’re excited to build on its legacy as part of our organization."
As Journey North begins its fourth decade, Karen Oberhauser says:
“It will join a suite of key monarch citizen science programs and have the advantage of a large staff with expertise in monarchs, research, education, and conservation, as well as connections to well over a hundred partner programs throughout the U.S.”
This transition marks an exciting new chapter for Journey North as it finds its new home with the Monarch Joint Venture. It presents a valuable opportunity to ensure the program’s long-term sustainability and growth. Under the Monarch Joint Venture’s stewardship, Journey North will continue to thrive, engaging citizen scientists and inspiring vital conservation efforts for monarchs, pollinators, and the ecosystems they support. Staff from all three programs are working through details together to provide as seamless a transition as possible. We are confident this transfer will amplify Journey North’s impact and reach, and we look forward to the opportunities ahead.
– UW–Madison Arboretum, Journey North, The Monarch Joint Venture
Frequently Asked Questions
What will happen to the data collected while Journey North was an Arboretum program?
The Monarch Joint Venture will maintain the entire archive of Journey North data, ensuring its preservation and continued accessibility.
Will there be any changes to the Monarch Larva Monitoring Project (MLMP) at the Arboretum?
No, the MLMP will continue as a joint citizen science program between the Arboretum and MJV.
Are any changes expected when Journey North Transitions to the Monarch Joint Venture?
MJV will integrate Journey North's resources, reporting, and mapping interfaces into the MJV website. The Journey North name and branding will remain the same, though some aspects of the program may evolve. Following the transition, no immediate major changes are expected. Any significant updates will be clearly communicated to users.
How can I support Arboretum or Monarch Joint Venture citizen science programs like Journey North?
- To support Journey North and other MJV citizen science programs, consider donating to the Monarch Joint Venture Community Science Fund.
- To support Arboretum citizen science programs, donations can be made to the Arboretum Citizen Science Fund.
Will there be a blackout period during the transition?
We aim to minimize disruptions and ensure a seamless transition for Journey North users. While brief periods of limited access may occur, we do not anticipate extended downtime.
Who can I contact with questions?
Monarch Joint Venture: Wendy Caldwell - wcaldwell@monarchjointventure.org
UW–Madison Arboretum: patrick.bohlen@wisc.edu