The Monarch Joint Venture offers virtual and in-person classes and community science training opportunities for emerging monarch enthusiasts, experienced conservationists, and everyone in between!
Looking for MJV to come to your school or event? Check out our Services page for more information.
Mini Monarch Essentials Course
Mini Monarch Essentials is a self-paced online course taught by Monarch Joint Venture staff. Multiple chapters provide foundational knowledge of monarch butterfly ecology, threats, and the effective conservation actions that everyone can take to help protect this valuable species and support thriving pollinator ecosystems. You will come away with knowledge and practical information about monarch biology, migration, threats and pressures, and conservation research and action strategies. (NOTE: This course is an abridged version of our Complete Monarch Essentials course which is currently under development.)
We are here to help. During the course, participants will be able to use discussion boards for each chapter, reach out via email if questions arise, and attend live Q&A sessions with MJV science, habitat, and education staff.
Dates & Time: Mini Monarch Essentials is self-paced and can be completed on your own schedule This course should take about 2 hours to complete.
Cost: $50 (If cost is a barrier and you would like to request financial support, please reach out to learn@monarchjointventure.org.)
Course Overview
Breeding Biology: Life Cycle & Identification: Monarch breeding biology, mimics, milkweed interactions and ID
Migration and Overwintering Biology: Migration dynamics and overwintering biology
Monarch Population Dynamic and Pressures: Population counts, status, pressures and mortality, conservation status, and extinction risk
Conservation Goals & Strategies for Recovery: Conservation goals, planning, and strategies; overview of national and tri-national efforts
Please add your contact information via this form if you'd like to be notified when the next course is launched.
Questions about this course? Email learn@monarchjointventure.org.
North American Monarch Institute
The North American Monarch Institute (NAMI) workshop is an intensive professional development for K-12 and preservice teachers and non-formal educators, homeschool leaders, and community organizers. During this workshop, participants learn about the monarch life cycle and migration, gain an introductory understanding of monarch conservation, and learn how to participate in multiple monarch community science programs. In addition to heavy monarch content, participants will also explore concepts of schoolyard ecology and invertebrate diversity while following the process of science. This workshop uses the Monarchs and More curriculum as the backbone for content and instruction, and all participants receive a copy of this in addition to other materials, such as life cycle cards and poster, a field guide, a hand lens, and a bug box, plus informational handouts, lessons, and activities.
There are currently no NAMI trainings scheduled. Reach out to education@monarchjointventure.org if you have any questions about NAMI.
Community Science Training: Monarch Larva Monitoring Project
Be a community scientist with the Monarch Larva Monitoring Project (MLMP)! The MLMP team from MJV and the UW-Madison Arboretum co-lead these virtual one-day training on how to collect data that contributes to our knowledge about the monarch population. Participants learn about monarch biology, monitoring procedures, and data entry protocols and are able to ask monarch biologists their questions about monarchs and monitoring.
There are currently no live MLMP trainings scheduled. An online course is getting ready to launch late 2024! Add your name and email to this list if you want to know when the course launches. Reach out to info@mlmp.org if you have any questions about community science training.