New volunteers must complete an introductory workshop.
This year’s introductory workshops will be held jointly with the Illinois Odonate Survey (IOS) on zoom. The workshops consist of two sections. The first covers how to get started monitoring in both programs and how to follow the survey protocols. For the second half we will split into breakout rooms for butterfly and dragonfly/damselfly identification training. If you would like to join both IBMN and IOS you may register for two separate sessions.
Forest preserve district representatives will join us in the sessions indicated to share information on volunteering for their respective agencies. You may sign up for any session, but we highly recommend attending one with the region you would like to monitor if listed.
If you are in the lower half of the state please register for the southern Illinois workshop as the identification segments are specific to this region. This page will be updated with southern Illinois workshop information for 2023 as details become available.
Introductory Workshops
Session 1
Saturday, March 25th, 9:00 AM to 11:30 AM
Presentation:
1. IBMN/IOS General Training
2. Choice: Top 25 Butterflies or Intro to Odonate Identification
Register on zoom
*Forest Preserve District of Kane County representative will be present*
Session 2
Thursday, April 6th, 6:00 PM to 8:30 PM
Presentation:
1. IBMN/IOS General Training
2. Choice: Top 25 Butterflies or Intro to Odonate Identification
Register on zoom
*Forest Preserve District of Cook County representative will be present*
*Lake County Forest Preserve District representative will be present*
Session 3
Sunday, April 16th, 9:00 AM to 11:30 AM
Presentation:
1. IBMN/IOS General Training
2. Choice: Top 25 Butterflies or Intro to Odonate Identification
Register on zoom
*Forest Preserve District of Will County representative will be present*
Session 4
Thursday, May 25th, 6:00 PM to 8:30 PM
Presentation:
1. IBMN/IOS General Training
2. Top 25 Butterflies
3. Intro to Odonate Identification
Register on zoom
Further Butterfly Identification
Session 5
Thursday, April 13th, 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM
Presentation:
1. Beyond the Beginner’s Checklist
2. Top 7 Skippers
Register on zoom
Session 6
Thursday, May 18th, 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM
Presentation:
1. Beyond the Beginner’s Checklist
2. Top 7 Skippers
Register on zoom
Session 7
Saturday, May 20th, 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM
Presentation:
1. Making Sense of the Skippers
2. Making More Sense of the Skippers
Register on zoom