• encourage the study of Odonata
• document the species that occur in Michigan
• obtain better data on the abundance and distribution of federal and state-listed species
• define the flight periods and ranges for the species that are found in the state
• record, in a database, pertinent information on locality, habitat, phenology, and and ecology for use in publications devoted to the Odonata fauna of the state of Michigan.
• To produce an atlas of Michigan Odonata for use by scientists and amateurs alike.

The MOS is a volunteer effort, coordinated by Mark F. O'Brien. Participants can add to the effort by:

• Collecting in target areas that are under-represented in collections
• Collecting data from museum collections of Odonata
• Providing data from their own collections to the MOS
• Survey and monitor various areas for the appearance of targeted species of Odonata.

Deposition of Vouchers: Collectors are encouraged to deposit voucher specimens from their collecting efforts into the University of Michigan Museum of Zoology. The UMMZ has one of the largest and most extensive collections of Odonata in North America, and with its associated library, is a center for odonatological research.