2013 Butterfly Count June 29

The ever popular Annual Butterfly Count is happening again on June 29, 2013! Do not call to make reservations before June 1!

Saint Paul Audubon’s annual Butterfly Count will take place June 29, 2013 at the Arden Hills Army Training Site (AHATS).

Please wait until June before registering or calling for information. In June contact Dorothy Waltz at 651-917-0930 or dwaltz@isd.net but no later than Monday, June 24th.

The Readiness Center – MN Army National Guard building is on Hamline Avenue in Arden Hills 1/3 mile north of Highway 96. Park near the south entrance of the building in the large parking lot.

NOTE: Construction west of AHATS may require you approach using Hwy 96 from the east or Hamline Avenue from the south. Please plan your travel time carefully as all must enter the area together.

The Readiness Center where we park has toilets that we can use during the count.

Since this is an Army facility, Dorothy must give the National Guard the names of all participants before the count. Because of new EPA regulations, no one under age 18 may participate. The maximum number of participants is 25, so register early! Remember, there is a $5 fee per person to participate. Please pay cash.

Registered participants should meet in the parking lot of the new Readiness Center – MN Army National Guard building on Hamline Avenue, north of Highway 96 in Arden Hills by 9:45 AM. We will carpool into the butterfly count sites to minimize the number of cars.

Wait until a date is known, please, before calling for more information. Contact is Dorothy Waltz at 651-917-0930 or dwaltz@isd.net. A map and information packet will be mailed to registered participants before the count. We hope to see you at the event.

What to Bring & Wear Everyone must stay with the group for the entire time, so come prepared! Be sure to bring plenty of cool drinks, snacks, and a bag lunch. A widebrimmed hat, light-weight long pants and long-sleeved shirt, sunscreen, high socks, old sneakers or rubber boots for bog-tromping, and insect repellent are recommended. You may want to bring a butterfly field guide and a butterfly net. Binoculars are a good idea: close-focus for butterflies or regular focus for birds.