Lázaro Cárdenas Elementary 4th, 5th, and 6th Grades
Lázaro Cárdenas Elementary is the farthest school visited on the back part of the Sierra Chincua Sanctuary.  All families of children at these schools live from agriculture, from their forests, and from getting at least 1-2 members of their family working away or abroad. Chances are that only a few of pupils will reach high school and it would be rare that one of these children could go to University. Journey North visited for the first time.  Again, as in other schools in this area, the children and teachers shared that they'd never received such detailed information about the monarch life cycle and migration.

Rocinante, Estela’s hardy, hard-working Volkswagon bug drove the Ambassador butterflies along the main road at "Llano de las Papas", next to the Sierra Chincua Sanctuary.  It was another frozen morning with temperatures -2 to -4°C. Remember that here the homes and schools have no heating systems at all, and it’s cold.

The  landscape was rugged, but Rocinante never gave up on the way to the school, even though they got lost! On her way, Fortunately they came upon some young mothers walking who where able to describe how to reach the school.

During Estela’s lesson the children learned in detail about the importance of monarch butterflies overwintering just kilometers from their homes. This is the first time they have ever heard the story.  These communities and their families, similar to the previous communities in these areas, seem not to have a direct and/or near relation with monarchs phenomenon. They know about their existence, but their Ejidos aren’t directly included in the monarchs' core territories. so that they didn’t seem especially knowledgable. Estela stressed to the children and teachers that preserving their forests is very important for protecting the corridors leading to the core Sanctuary areas.  

Government programs about the importance of conservation do not seem to exist in this area. Teachers were very glad to receive Estela who brought along her Journey North messages and education to their part of the sanctuary area.

The students were joyful to tears, having fun at every statement they wrote in their response letters.   At this school, teachers were very open in the classroom and children seem to have a very good competence in writing and participating. They loved receiving their gifts and butterflies!

Butterflies Received
This school received Ambassador Butterflies from the following U.S. and Canadian Schools:

Arcado Elementary, Lilburn, GA
Norcrest Elementary, Pompano Beach, FL
Winds West Elementary, Oklahoma City, OK
Pacific Northern Academy, Anchorage, AK
Crest View Elementary, Boulder, CO
Forest North Elementary, Austin, TX
Teaticket Elementary, East Falmouth, MA
Annie Vinton Elementary, Mansfield, CT
Andover Elementary, Andover, CT
Pownal Elementary, Pownal, VT
East Amwell Township School, Ringoes, NJ
East Amwell Township School, Ringoes, NJ
East Amwell Township School, Ringoes, NJ
Yarmouth Elementary, Yarmouth, ME
Beaver Meadow School, Concord, NH
Saint Thomas Community Christian School, Saint Thomas, ON
Fairview Elementary, Spencer, IA
Silver Lake Intermediate School, Oconomowoc, WI
George Washington Carver Elementary, Dubuque, IA
Marlborough Elementary, Marlborough, NH
James R. Watson Elementary, Auburn, IN
Walter Scott Public School, Richmond Hill, ON
Hinesburg Community School, Hinesburg, VT
Hominy Valley Elementary, Candler, NC
Franklin School of Innovation, Asheville, NC
Highland Ranch Elementary, San Diego, CA
Normandy Elementary, Bay Village, OH
Wismer Public School, Markham, ON
Garden Avenue Public School, Toronto, ON
Covenant Day School, Matthews, NC
Pleasant Park Public School, Ottawa, ON
Forest Knolls Elementary, Silver Spring, MD
Gerald Adams Elementary, Key West, FL
Kingsway Christian School, Orrville, OH
Pavo Public Library, Pavo, GA
Brooklet Elementary, Brooklet, GA
Garderie Bonne Aventure, Montreal , QC
Marlborough Elementary, Marlborough, CT
Marlborough Elementary, Marlborough, CT
Marlborough Elementary, Marlborough, CT
Clifton Lawrence School, Wantage, NJ
Clifton Lawrence School, Wantage, NJ
Bishop Hamilton Montessori, Ottawa, ON
Pleasant Park Public School, Ottawa, ON
Garderie Bonne Aventure, Montreal , QC
Tall Oaks Montessori School, Blacksburg, VA
Montclair Kimberley Academy, Montclair, NJ
Montclair Kimberley Academy, Montclair, NJ
Montclair Kimberley Academy, Montclair, NJ
Mineral Point Elementary, Mineral Point, WI
Pleasant Park Public School, Ottawa, ON
Pleasant Park Public School, Ottawa, ON
Garderie Bonne Aventure, Montreal , QC
Clifton Lawrence School, Wantage, NJ
Clifton Lawrence School, Wantage, NJ