Why Should We Care About Monarchs?
People Share Their Thoughts
Are you
ready to be inspired? Over 100 people sent their ideas to Dr. Brower!
He will have a rich array of comments to share the next time someone asks
him why monarchs are important to people. Full comments are provided below.
Categories:
- All
things are interconnected: "when we loose one it affects
another and another,"and "they continue our circle of life."
- Monarchs
inspire us: "Their ability to navigate their journey south
and survive the winter in Mexico," for example.
- They
give us a common ground: "They are a beautiful insect
that men, women, boys and girls, like or love--a common ground."
- They
fascinate us: "They have helped instill an endless interest
in science in me that I want my kids to have," said one 13 year
old girl.
- They
are beautiful: "They help make our world pretty,"
they are "delicate," "fragile," and "are like
mini people with wings."
- They
deserve to live: "They are part of nature," and "They
have a reason to live just like everyone else." "Monarchs
help students learn to respect all living things," said a teacher.“We
would not be the same without them,” said Mrs. Dupper's 2nd Grade
class in Colorado.
Please send
ideas you would like to add to this list!
Virginia
Ms Cupp's Class, Grade 3
We think that you should tell the people who don't care about monarchs
surviving this:
- Monarchs
are part of a food chain. The animals that eat the monarchs need to
get energy. They create a food chain. Some birds eat monarchs. When
we loose one food chain, it affects another and another.
- Cody thinks
we should just try to scare those people, but most of the rest of the
class disagrees. Forest says you shouldn't threaten people for what
they think. Brandon agrees.
- Cody points
out that they help pollination.
- Forest
says they are living things just like people so imagine if you were
a monarch and no one cared if you got wiped out.
- Destiny
says we should save them because they are beautiful.
- Kellie
says they are living animals and they deserve to live.
- Lakin
says you should care about monarchs because letting global warming kill
them is mean. They have a reason to live just like everyone else.
New
Hampshire
Peter Woodbury School, Grade 2
My second grade class at Peter Woodbury School in Bedford, NH thinks that
we should care about monarchs because:
- they
could become extinct and other animals are already extinct so we don't
want to lose more
- if they
are gone it effects the food chain
- they
are awesome creatures
- if there
were no monarch caterpillars to eat milkweed, there will be too much
milkweed
- the world
would be less beautiful without monarchs
- if we
lose butterflies it could mean our world is too polluted and there are
too many people not caring about our environment
Colorado
Mrs. Dupper's 2nd Grade Class
- The monarch
is important because they help make flowers bloom. We should care about
them because they help make the world look beautiful.
- The monarch
butterfly is very delightful and kind.
- We should
care about the monarch butterfly because the insects in the world help
give us fruit.
- I think
monarchs are important because they continue our circle of life. We
should care about them because we wouldn't be the same without them.
We also should care about them because they are so beautiful and gentle;
they could never hurt anyone.
- I think
you should care about them because they should have lives like us. They
are born like everyone.
- The monarch
is important because it is cool and we can learn a lot about them. They
would become extinct if we did not allow them to live and have babies.
- The monarch
is important because it helps plants grow and we need plants to live.
We should care about the monarch because they make us healthy. They
spread seeds and seed grow. When they grow they make plants and plants
give us oxygen.
- I think
that the monarchs are important because they give us beautiful flowers.
We should care about them because they are God's creatures.
- The monarchs
are very important to us because they are so delicate. When they come
out of the chyrsalis, we can't touch them. We should care about them
because we should take care of the animals in our community and our
butterflies too.
- Monarchs
are important because they help pollinate our flowers. This is why we
should care about them too.
- It is
a living thing and we should care so that is does not become extinct.
It is one beautiful animal.
- I think
the monarch is important because it is alive. We should care about them
because we would someone in the world to care about us so we should
care about the monarch too.
- Monarchs
are important because they are the only butterfly that flies to another
place with the seasons. They give us oxygen.
- The monarch
is important because they might knock down pine cones and the pine cones
will grow into trees that will help us breathes. We should care about
them because if we kill them, there will be none left.
- The monarch
is important because they are good. We should care about them because
they are part of mother nature.
- The monarch
is important because they help spread flowers and are pretty. We should
care about them because we can catch them and we can also see them at
the Butterfly Pavilion.
- The monarch
is important because they are a part of nature. We should care about
them because they make our world pretty and they are part of our Earth.
- The monarch
is important because their pattern is pretty. We should care about them
because if you step on one, it could die.
- The monarch
butterfly is important because they help us. We should care about the
monarch because they eat the bad bugs for us.
- The monarch
butterfly is important because it is a part of nature. We should care
about the monarch butterfly because they take place in our lives.
- We should
care about the monarch butterfly because without the monarch, the tries
might die and then we would die.
Colorado
Ms. Picozzi's 2nd Grade Class
- We should
care because how would you like it if they would just let you die? You
should care because they may help us in the future like bees make honey.
- Monarch
butterflies are important because they are very smart insects. We should
care about them because they are very, very kind. Bees aren't nice because
they sting people.
- Monarch
butterflies are important because they are part of nature and are cool
to look at.
- The monarch
is important because it's almost extinct. We should care because we
need to help each other and make sure they are not going to get extinct.
- The monarch
is important because we can learn about them. I care about them because
it is really cool to look at their colors. Monarchs are great.
- The monarchs
really help us. We don't want to destroy mother nature. They give us
food. We would be bored without monarchs. It's fun to watch them and
learn about them.
- The monarch
is important because they huddle together at night to stay warm. They
go to Mexico and are important to me.
- The monarch
is important because it has to get to Mexico for the winter. We should
care about it because it would be nice for the monarch butterfly if
we cared.
- The monarch
butterfly helps us to have air and they help people live.
- The monarch
butterfly gives us flower nectar and it is a nice bug.
- The monarch
butterfly is important because it is cool and symmetrical.
- The monarch
butterfly is important because it helps make the world a better place
by eating bad bugs. We should care about them because they are a part
of nature.
- Even
though the monarch is an animal, we should care about it. God made him
or her and that is why we should care about them.
- Monarchs
help bring more pretty flowers into the word and they are very exciting
to learn about.
- The monarch
butterfly is important because it is the only butterfly the hibernates
and goes to Mexico. It is very fun to look at and is very interesting.
- They
are an important part of nature and good to learn about.
- Monarchs
give flowers nectar and they are nice bugs.
- The monarchs
are interesting to know about and they are playful.
- Monarch
butterflies are an important part of mother nature. They are also important
because they make babies which keeps the monarch population alive.
- The monarch
is important because it is mother nature and we don't want them to die.
We wouldn't get to see them in the spring if you kill them.
- They
are very cool to look at and they are the smartest butterfly.
- I think
monarch butterflies are awesome to watch. I love all of their colors.
We should care about them because they are a part of nature.
Colorado
Ms. Giroux's 2nd Grade Class
- I think
the monarchs are important because they help flowers.
- I think
the monarchs are important because they spread seeds. When they lay
their eggs, they are helping more animals live.
- They
are important because they pollinate the flowers. We should care about
them because they might become an endangered species.
- I think
monarchs are important because they spread the seeds. I love monarchs
butterflies. My brother and I chased two of them earlier this year.
- We should
care about monarchs because they are beautiful and they are endangered.
- Monarchs
help give us more food by colleting pollen. They are an important species
and we should not shoot them.
- I think
the monarch is important because they are a part of our world.
- I think
monarchs are important because they are cool!
- Monarch
butterflies are important because they help our world by helping flowers
and grass. They are beautiful.
- I think
monarch butterflies are important because they help flowers grow. We
should care about monarch butterflies because they are rarely seen in
Colorado!
- Monarch
butterflies are very special because they help the flowers.
- Monarch
butterflies are important because they are a part of nature and they
help flowers grow.
- Monarch
butterflies are important because they help flowers grown and they help
bring beauty to our planet.
- The monarch
is important because it is a nice kind of friend. It is also important
because it travels to Mexico.
- The monarch
butterfly is important because they help flowers and trees grow. They
help the Earth too and help give us more oxygen.
- The monarchs
are important because they are beautiful and cool. We should care about
them because they are a part of nature.
- I think
they are cool and nice. They can help you because they help flowers.
- I think
they are cool and help flowers!
Colorado
Mr. Bueke's 2nd Grade Class
- The monarch
butterfly is important because I like how it flies. We should care to
help keep it alive.
- The monarch
is so important because they help people do stuff. We should care because
we need it.
- I like
the color of the monarch butterfly because it is so colorful. The monarch
is important because I like to watch them.
- Monarch
butterflies are important because they give us color. We should care
about them because their important to nature.
- The monarch
is the best butterfly in the world. We should care about them so we
can have honey.
- The monarch
butterflies help us by helping mother nature.
- The monarch
butterfly is important because we care about them and write about them.
- Monarch
butterflies are important because they collect pollen. We should care
about them because bees would be busier without them.
- The monarch
butterflies are important because they migrate and go to Mexico. We
should care about them because they are alive.
- The monarch
is important because they pollinate plants. We should care because we
wouldn't have plants without them.
- I think
the monarch is important because there is no other butterfly like a
monarch! We should care about them because the monarch is a unique species.
- Monarchs
are important because they give us good flowers for honey. WE should
care because they help us.
- The monarch
is important because they have beautiful wings. They scare the bad bugs
and take care of the nice bugs.
- Monarchs
are important because their wings are so sensitive to your touch and
they are soft. We should care about monarchs because they are butterflies
that fly place to place.
- The monarchs
are the only butterfly that migrates. They are very important to our
ecosystem.
- The monarch
is important because it is the only one that migrates. We should care
because they are pretty.
- The monarch
is important because there are not a lot of them in our state. We should
care because they are pretty and colorful.
- The monarch
is important because it is the only butterfly that migrates. We should
care about the monarch butterfly because it is a living creature.
- The monarch
butterfly is important because they are like mini people with wings.
We should help them migrate because they help make our world pretty.
We should care about monarchs because like I said, "They make our
world pretty."
Minnesota
Mary Beth Morrison Carpenter
I work with ninth grade urban youth in Minneapolis. We raised Monarchs
in the fall and two of my students brought their science research project
to the science fair at the University of Mn in December. Here are some
of the comments my class made:
"They're pretty."
"They're pollinators and help us by pollinating fruits and vegetables."
"By raising Monarchs we learned how to do research with living things."
As a personal
note, I love working with Monarchs in the classroom. Because they are
beautiful, they attract students’ attention. By raising them, the
students learn to respect all living things. In learning about their life
cycle, we learn about prairie and forest ecosystems. We learn about their
niche in their habitat and the importance of maintaining biodiversity
in our ecosystems.
To me Monarchs are a beautiful insect. I have raised over 150 in one summer!
But as a teacher, they are of tremendous value in increasing interest
in science in students who are a challenge to motivate.
Christine
B.
I'm 13. To answer your question of what to tell people when they ask why
it is important to keep monarchs around: I think it's very important to
not deprive our children and our grandchildren the joy of seeing live
monarchs. My family has raised monarchs from our milkweed garden every
year since I can remember, and I am still amazed every time. It's just
such a beautiful thing, and I want to share that experience with my children.
I want my kids to be able to share that with their kids. I am so attached
to the species. They have helped instill an endless interest in science
in me that I want my kids to have. That's why monarchs are so important.
Casey
I think we should care about monarchs because god made these living insects
and he expects us to look after them for him.
Lora
Butterflies I think are very interesting and I think other people do as
well. They are an insect that both men, women, boys and girls, like or
love. A common ground. They are a beautiful insect, not the type of insect
that make girls and women cringe or scream yuck! It is like ,WOW, it is
thrilling! The monarch is like the queen or the cream of the crop of the
butterflies. I have a holy bear and on his tummy is a monarch butterfly.
The bear is holding a holy bible book and in it, it say that the butterfly
represents the stages of Jesus' life. That bear rides everywhere with
me in my car. Also if it is possible when I died at my funeral I would
like somebody to do a butterfly release. That is my wish. Do you know
of the Butterfly Release -Papago? It is an Indian story or legend of the
butterfly. I thought that was way cool. So that story takes butterflies
all the way back to the Indian's day and how highly they thought of the
butterfly. I can see if we do not keep researching and caring more for
the monarch it can or will be instance in no time at all. As I think the
monarch butterfly is no. #1 on the list of butterflies you are researching
with the right butterfly. I hope what I have said makes since and helps
people see how important the monarch is to all of us and we should care
about and for the monarch butterfly. Food for thought- If you were blind
and the Lord granted you to be able to see 1 out of 3 insects in the world
or named one out of three insects and one of them being a monarch butterfly
and you could only choose one insect, what insect{s} would you choose
to see?
Lisa
Besides being beautiful and the fact that I am thoroughly fascinated by
Monarchs, my answer is a question: Why is any living thing important?
Which then begs the question, wny is any thing that was once living important?
Monarchs are a part of the rich fabric that weaves through the air and
land. They remind us that every living thing on earth deserves to thrive
in peace and harmony. Their ability to navigate their journey south and
survive the winter in Mexico serves as a reminder to humans that there
are far greater things at work than the things that we concern ourselves
with on a day-to-day basis.
California
Lily, age 10
I think the monarch is important because it is such a beautiful and interesting
butterfly. Where I live in California (in Oakland) it is the biggest butterfly
that comes in my yard. And I worry that it might become extinct if people
don't help them by planting milkweed plants.
Arelia
Monarchs make us happy. If you are in a bad mood and you see them flying
around drinking nectar, puddling, or just hanging out, that would make
you forget your troubles, and feel good.
Vermont
Jerry
Monarchs show me what it's like to be prosperous and having abundance,
something that I want, personally. When everything is good, there is plenty
of milkweed, and plenty of habitat in Mexico. When I witness things going
bad, with the logging of their habitat in Mexcio, & loss of habitat
in our country, then I move from a sense of prosperity to one of loss.
Like the poet John Dunn's lines - No man is an island. Everyman is a piece
of the continent, a part of the main... every man's death diminishes me..."
And every factor that threatens the Monarch, affects me, diminishes me.
Donna
Because it is the only living creature that does no harm to any other
living thing. It doesn't bite or sting and I believe that it was created
by God just for man to enjoy. Aunt Donna's Butterfly Garden.
Bob
Roeske
If mankind can be enticed into caring about Monarchs and their
habitat, perhaps there will be transference to caring about mankind's
habitat, spaceship earth.
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