It’s a beautiful, sunny morning, and we’re walking through the scenic eucalyptus groves in Goleta’s Ellwood Mesa area with a biologist. We’re trying to find some endangered Monarch butterflies, which roost here as part of their migration process.
For decades, tracking the butterflies meant sitting quietly on a log to try to see and count the endangered insects. Now, thanks to technology, tracking the butterflies is as simple as using your smartphone.
“This year, for the first time ever, we’re able to use these radio transmitting tags that have a small solar panel on them. They weigh .07 grams, and they have a little antenna,” explained Charis van der Heide, a biologist who’s been studying Monarch butterflies for decades. “They connect with your phone through Bluetooth. We’re just all over the moon excited about it.”
They’ve tagged five butterflies at Ellwood Mesa so far, and they’ve even given them names. Anyone can download the app, which is called Project Monarch…