Big Mothing Year 2027
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A project we are currently considering for 2027 is a Big Mothing Year. Kenn Kaufman introduced the idea of a Big Year with birding several decades ago. Bob Pyle applied the idea to butterflies back in the mid-2000’s. I am considering trying a Big Year with moths.
One thing that makes a Mothing Big Year uniquely different from bird and butterflies is the sheer number of critters you are looking for. It is estimated that in North America, the number of moth species lands somewhere around 14,000. Nobody really knows as there are still many that are still undescribed by science. At Butterfly Ridge, we have documented around ten of these “moths with no name.”
And of course, I have no expectation of observing 14,000 species in a single year. But I would like to document at least one-quarter of them which would put our target number at about 3,500 species. Not an easy task, but I think I could at least get close.
And the focus of this task would go beyond simply Mr. Chris taking pictures of bugs! We want this to be an educational exercise as well. This would involve holding public (and private) mothing events throughout the country, teaching folks about the important role that moths play in the ecosystem. It would include interviews with local and national media outlets, sharing this same story.
I am also seeking out help from around the country. I have a good team helping me locally here in Ohio (Pike Fetgatter and Chris Haskins), but I will need contacts around the country advising me on locations and timing to maximize our species diversity opportunities. I also need host sites where I can set up the mothing equipment. I can’t go plopping lights down just anywhere!
We will also be looking for corporate and local sponsors. This is going to be a big undertaking. It will include lots of travel and expenses. Our PR person is currently working on a sponsorship plan so that interested businesses and individuals can help us cover some of these costs in return for logos on my racing suit (so to speak!) and other benefits.
We need to have a good sense for the level support and collaboration for the event before we can commit to it. We are not looking for folks to send us checks or block particular dates on their calendars, yet. We just need folks to say that they would definitely be interested in participating in the project. We are looking for landowners who have always been curious about the insects on their property, county park naturalists who have always wanted to do a mothing event but could not get funding for the equipment, local newspaper journalists who would love to share a feel good story with their community, or Ford executives who would love to see one of their Ford Transit vans prominently displayed traveling the country teaching potential customers about the world around us.
If you would love to be part of a nationwide teachable moment, visit www.mothnightsamerica.com and complete the form. We look forward to hearing from you!
