Monarch Migration Update: February 21, 2013
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This week, join Estela Romero on a tour of the world's largest monarch sanctuary. Explore the benefits and risks of ecotourism.

This Week's Update Includes:

Image of the Week
Monarch butterflies in sanctuary in Mexico Ask the Expert
Photo: Elizabeth Howard
News: A Trip to the Sanctuary
Travel with Estela
Estela set off from Angangueo with her camera in hand:

"Come with me to visit the largest monarch sanctuary in the world, El Rosario. The monarch season is at its peak and a trip to see the butterflies is a special treat."

Meet the Sanctuary Guides
Estela interviewed two guides about their work at the monarch sanctuary:

"What I love about being a guide is the fact that the whole community has a chance to make a living," said Eduardo.

"Our parents tell us that we are the monarch generation. Since we were born, monarchs have been part of our lives," said Lorena.

Ecotourism: A Conservation Strategy
Will local people protect the monarch's forest if they can earn enough income from tourists? This is an important conservation question. As you travel with Estela, look for different ways people are earning income during the four months the monarchs are in Mexico.

  • What are the benefits and risks of ecotourism?
  • How can we balance the competing needs of people and monarchs?
 
A Trip to the Monarch Sanctuary
Travel with Estela
Photo: Estela Romero
 
A Trip to the Monarch Sanctuary
Meet the Guides
Photo: Estela Romero
 
Monarch butterfly sanctuary tour.
Photo: Estela Romero
Boletos
Slideshow: A Scientific Tour
Walk into the monarch sanctuary with the eyes of a scientist. Watch how observations lead to questions.

Essential Question
How do overwintering monarchs survive in the oyamel forest habitat?

 

The Monarch's Winter Sanctuary | A Scientific Tour
Slideshow

The Migration: Maps and Journal
Not all monarchs go to Mexico! Before spring migration begins, please help us document where monarchs are located this winter and where milkweed is available.

 

Seeing Monarchs?
When you see a monarch, we want to know about it.
Monarch butterfly migration map Map of milkweed emergence: Spring 2013

Word bank
Journal

Monarchs
(map | animation | sightings)
Milkweed
(map | animation | sightings)
The next update will be posted on February 28, 2013.