Volunteers’ Help Sought for Butterfly-Counting Excursion

Residents may help the North American Butterfly Assn. track Southern California’s butterfly population Sunday during its annual butterfly survey on the 1,200-acre Rancho Mission Viejo Land Conservancy.

Species and totals of the colorful insects will be registered with the New Jersey-based association, which tracks butterfly populations nationwide.

Last year, volunteers counted about 30 different species of butterflies on the conservancy, said Anthony Mann, acting executive director of the private land preserve.

The survey starts at 9 a.m. with an introductory lecture for first-time butterfly counters at the gate of the conservancy, which is 5 miles east of San Juan Capistrano on Ortega Highway.

Volunteers should bring shoes suitable for the five-hour hike, as well as binoculars, food and water, a notebook and a butterfly field guide, organizers said. Information: (714) 489-9778.