Butterfly Count Weekend 2007 was a success, with 39 species and 4764 individual butterflies counted. Look at our table of butterfly count results for more information. Thanks to everyone who participated!

Butterfly Count Weekend will be on May 31st and June 1st in 2008. Join us on Saturday for a ranger-led walk or campfire program. On Sunday, we welcome you to participate in our annual butterfly count.

Each year around the first weekend in June, right about at the peak butterfly season, Pinnacles National Monument holds a butterfly count. We spend the day counting all the butterflies we can find within a 15-mile diameter circle centered in the monument.

In 2007 we counted 39 species and more than 4,000 butterflies. For a complete list of butterflies seen on the counts, go to the Pinnacles National Monument Butterfly Count Results. The information gained from these counts helps to monitor butterfly populations within the monument as well as across the continent. This is one of the many ways that we protect the Natural Resources of Pinnacles National Monument for the enjoyment of many generations to come.

Have you ever seen a thousand butterflies in a day? Or 25 different kinds of butterflies in a day? We invite beginners and experts alike to join us for the annual butterfly count. Those who know butterflies can lead groups to areas we wouldn’t be able to survey otherwise. Those who don't know butterflies can help by recording data and spotting butterflies for others to identify. We spend the entire day hiking and counting butterflies. It is hard work, both mentally and physically, but ultimately it is rewarding and inspiring. Your participation can make a difference.