The Monarch Monitoring Project is a long-term study on monarch migration through Cape May, NJ. It is a part of the New Jersey Audubon Research Department, and closely affiliated with the Cape May Bird Observatory.

Thursday, August 2, 2018

Welcome 2018 Field Naturalist Interns

The 2018 field season for the Monarch Monitoring Project is just under a month away.  We are busy getting supplies ready and gearing up for the new season.  Our two Field Naturalist Interns have been hired and we are pleased to introduce Lindsey Cathcart and Sarah Crosby to you, using their own words.



Lindsey Cathcart: "I am a recent graduate of the University of Delaware with a degree in Insect Ecology and Conservation.  In my undergraduate career I worked on a study examining the pollination ecology of various native flowering plants.  After conducting research at Mt. Cuba Center in Hockessin, DE, I completed a senior thesis specifically investigating the quality of native Hydrangeas as food sources for pollinators.  Most recently, I have worked as an entomology intern at Stroud Water Research Center in Avondale PA, identifying freshwater benthic macroinvertebrates for their usage in assessing water quality.  I am very excited to join the Cape May team with New Jersey Audubon this fall as an intern on the Monarch Monitoring Project and contribute to such a significant area of research.  I hope to attend graduate school in the future and am looking forward to the opportunity to grow as a scientist and continue to pursue my passion for entomology."



Sarah Crosby: "I graduated from Rutgers University in 2018 with a degree in Philosophy and Environmental Studies.  I grew up in Ringwood, NJ hiking, swimming and camping, developing my love for the natural world.  While in middle school, I began volunteering at the former (NJ Audubon) Weis Ecology Center as a Jr. Counselor.  When the New Weis Center reopened, I returned as a field trip educator and head camp counselor.  My love of nature really began to blossom after a dendrology course in college, where I began to understand the entire ecology of an area and the importance of biodiversity.  Since then, I have been interested in native plant conservation and restoration ecology.  I look forward to working with the Monarch Monitoring Project to help make an impact on these local endangered pollinators, while getting to help educate the community about this important mission!"


We are eager to welcome Lindsey and Sarah to Cape May, and hope that all friends and supporters of the Monarch Monitoring Project will join us to help them both feel welcome and at home in Cape May this fall.