Just think: After flying to this small region from across eastern North America, monarchs select among only 12 mountain sites to form their colonies. This map shows where the 12 sites are located. These sites have the unique conditions the butterflies need to survive the winter, from November until March.

• Explore the distances between the 12 sites using the scale bar on this map.

• Make a personal connection: On a map of your state or province, measure an area the same size as the monarch overwintering region. If your school were situated as is the town of Angangueo, where would the surrounding 12 overwintering sites be located?

• Consider risks and benefits: What are the benefits and risks of having so many monarchs overwinter in one small region?