A group of butterfly enthusiasts gathers Sept. 5 at Wildlands Conservancy’s Black River Sanctuary to tag and release monarch butterflies as they journey 3,000 miles from the northern United States to overwinter in Mexico.

Beverly Souders and Arlene Anderson use a butterfly net to attempt to catch butterflies in the meadow.

After determining the butterfly’s gender and measuring its wings, Barb Pulli carefully affixes a specially numbered sticker onto the wings of a monarch so its journey can be tracked.

Sharon West’s butterfly seems a bit apprehensive about starting the long journey ahead and perches comfortably on her sleeve for several minutes before taking off.

Wildlands educator Valerie Davidheiser demonstrates how to correctly hold a monarch butterfly to keep it safe from injury.

Budding environmentalist Johanna Landskron carefully holds her butterfly before doing her part to measure, tag and release it to journey on to Mexico.

PRESS PHOTOS BY KATHY HASSICKDawn Stillwagen carefully measures the wings of a monarch butterfly before tagging it so it can be tracked as it migrates to Mexico for the winter.