Chip in for Monarch Watch 2024

Monarch Watch needs your help! If you are financially able to, please consider making a fully tax-deductible donation of any amount during our "Chip in for Monarch Watch" fundraising campaign.

As many of you already know, August marks both the start of the monarch’s fall migration and the birthday of Dr. Orley R. Taylor, known as “Chip” to most of us. Chip’s passion for and knowledge about monarchs is unsurpassed, as well as his dedication and commitment to Monarch Watch. Chip has never drawn a salary from Monarch Watch and he is also the single largest financial contributor to the program.

What you may not know is that Chip retired from the University of Kansas in 2016, but continued to dedicate his time to serving as director of Monarch Watch until the end of last year. As our new director, Kristen Baum, always says, monarchs are still a full-time job for Chip. He spends every day working to support monarchs, with a little extra time available for rearing other butterflies and moths. Monarchs and Monarch Watch are truly Chip’s passions. You can’t take the monarchs out of Chip!

"In 1992 I had no idea how this small project would change my life nor did I envision Monarch Watch as it is today. It's fair to say that Monarch Watch continues to lead me into new areas of public education and lines of research I hadn't anticipated. Each year brings new adventures and connections that seem to arise simply because Monarch Watch exists." - Chip Taylor

At Monarch Watch, we are grateful for the opportunity to work with you to contribute to monarch conservation. The connections that are facilitated by monarchs and Monarch Watch are truly extraordinary and with your support we will endeavor to foster these for generations to come.

GIVING TO MONARCH WATCH

During this fundraising campaign you may choose to contribute to:

• the Chip and Toni Taylor Professorship in Support of Monarch Watch to help us support Chip’s legacy and the future of Monarch Watch by supporting the professorship associated with the Monarch Watch director position (funds are invested in an endowment), or

• the Monarch Watch Fund to help us continue to maintain, enhance and expand our education, conservation and research programs, which includes creating habitats to sustain the monarch migration.

You may make a gift online by clicking on the red buttons above. All gifts to Monarch Watch are fully tax-deductible and will be processed by KU Endowment (100% of your donation goes to Monarch Watch). If you would rather give by phone or mail, please see the information below. No matter how you donate, please make sure the gift is directed to Monarch Watch. Any amount is greatly appreciated!

• To make a gift by phone, please call 785-832-7386

• To make a gift by mail, please make checks payable to Monarch Watch and mail to:

Gift Processing Department
KU Endowment
P.O. Box 928
Lawrence, KS 66044-0928

Additionally, to ask questions about gift options, gift planning, endowed funds, employer matching programs, etc. you may contact Conor Taft at [email protected] or 785-832-7386

Donations are accepted at any time throughout the year via monarchwatch.org/donate but if you would like to be included in this special "Chip in for Monarch Watch" campaign, please try to complete your contribution soon.

SUBMIT COMMENTS AND/OR PHOTOS FOR CHIP

Your comments, thanks, birthday wishes, photos, etc. may be submitted via the Chip in for Monarch Watch form – we will compile comments and photos then present them to Chip at the end of the campaign.

If you have any questions please feel free to drop us a line anytime – thank you again for your continued support!

The impact of the individual: Thanks, Chip, for all your work for the monarchs. You are an inspiration to us all! – Ina W.

Tagging monarch butterflies is always one of my students' favorite activities and an experience they remember long after they leave my classroom. My students and I thank you for all your work with the program! – Havana Junior High School, Havana, IL

CONGRATULATIONS, CHIP, ON ALL YOUR WONDERFUL WORK!!! – Lynn

Happy birthday Chip! Thanks to you and Monarch Watch for all of the information you put out there and the educating that you have done for so many! – Kathy

Hope this helps one of the most amazing and beautiful species on the planet! Rearing and studying the Monarch butterfly as a citizen scientist has become extremely fulfilling for me. – Susan

Thank you for your continued good work. I think of you and your mission every time I see a Monarch in my garden. I like to think that my support helps me connect with the world at large in a positive way. – Anonymous

Thank you, Chip, for giving us Monarch Watch, and the ability to participate in saving these amazing creatures! – Judy

Being a part of Monarch Watch has been one of the joys in my life - thanks for all you do! – Jen

Enjoyed our visit to Monarch Watch and the tour by the wonderful staff. Amazing work. – Bill & Winnie

My grandmother fostered my love of the Monarch but I've learned so much about them from Monarch Watch. Thank you, Chip, for starting the program and for your years of dedicated work! – Ruth

Thanks Chip! This is my first year tagging monarchs, it was such a great experience. I will always support this program. – Patty

I have been raising monarch butterflies and taking them to the school and teaching about them in my childrens' classrooms for 5 years now. I greatly appreciate the knowledge that Monarch Watch provides me about the condition of the population and the Monarchs in general. Thank You! – Anonymous

Greatly miss the clouds of monarchs I saw only a few Septembers ago. Would love to bring those days back again. – Daniel

Happy Birthday! You have done wonderful things for Monarchs and I wish you many more years of Monarch watching! – Karen

Chip is my hero and inspiration to keep working on behalf of the Monarchs. – Lenora

Happy Birthday, Chip! Thanks for all that you do for the Monarchs. – Linda

My students and I have learned a tremendous amount from studying monarch butterflies. Monarch Watch has been a wonderful resource, and Chip a tremendous inspiration. Thank you. – Anonymous

Thank you Chip for the Monarch Watch project. You are doing necessary work that shows just how amazing nature is and why it's important to respect and protect it. Rock on and Happy Birthday :-) – Anne

Thanks for all that you do, Chip! And thanks, Monarch Watch! – Jennifer & Tim