Volunteers needed for the butterfly count at Congaree National Park
Contributed by Congaree National Park

Congaree National Park is seeking volunteer citizen scientists of all ages to help with the park's annual butterfly count, which will be held Saturday, June 30, from 9 am to 3 pm.

In preparation for the count, a free butterfly identification skills training session will be offered at Congaree National Park Saturday, June 9, 10 am to noon. Participants will learn tips and techniques for identifying butterfly species as well as methods for attracting butterflies to their own backyard.

The park's first formal Butterfly Count was 10 years ago in cooperation with the North American Butterfly Association.

Comparisons of the results over the years monitor changes in butterfly populations and reveal effects of weather and habitat change on the different species.

In some years the butterfly count shows dramatic changes in butterfly populations, while other years indicate little fluctuation in butterfly numbers. Either way, butterfly counters are always curious about what next year's results will be!

Congaree National Park is located southeast of Columbia, off of Bluff Road in Hopkins, South Carolina.

To register for the training session, the annual count or for more information, contact Theresa Yednock, 776-4396.