10/15/2026
Learning in the field is one of the many ways Spalding students turn classroom knowledge into real-world impact.
This past Saturday, Professor Amanda Seaton and students from Spalding University’s School of Health and Natural Sciences traveled to a Monarch Conservation Site in Spencer County, Kentucky, to participate in a hands-on conservation experience alongside Monarch Watch. While cooler temperatures meant Monarch butterflies were scarce, students still enjoyed the opportunity to explore the site, study local biodiversity, and catch and release a variety of other insects.
Through our partnership with Monarch Watch, a nationally recognized education, conservation, and research organization, students gain valuable insight into the challenges facing Monarch butterfly populations and the importance of habitat preservation. Monarch Watch engages volunteers, educators, and citizen scientists across North America to help monitor Monarch migration, support research efforts, and establish Monarch Waystations that provide critical food and shelter for pollinators throughout their journey.
Experiences like these give Spalding students the opportunity to contribute to meaningful conservation efforts while developing practical field research skills, fostering environmental stewardship, and deepening their understanding of the interconnected ecosystems that support pollinators and other wildlife.
Thank you to Professor Seaton and our future scientists and conservation leaders for representing Spalding so well and embracing every learning opportunity, even when the Monarchs had other plans! 🦋🌿
