By Estela Romero, Journey North correspondent in Mexico

Soon the real Monarchs will be preparing to leave their northern home and migrate to central México to spend the winter with us! We are so excited to receive the beautiful Symbolic Monarchs you are preparing to make and send.

Please keep in mind a couple of important things as you make and send your paper butterflies:

The monarch butterfly is a famous international traveler. 

Monarchs fly from Canada and the United States to spend the winter in Mexico. They travel across three countries and migrate as far as 2,500 miles (4,000 kilometers)! 

Monarchs have a special winter home in Mexico. Only twelve mountain-top forests have the habitat they need to survive the winter.

The butterflies arrive in Mexico in November. Children look forward to the monarch's return every fall. 

Report to this map after you mail your Symbolic Monarchs. Your class will appear on the map with all participating classrooms.

After you send your butterfly on its journey, report to the Fall Migration map. Participating classrooms can connect through the map. 

• Report: Fall Symbolic Migration Map