Millions and Millions of Monarchs
Every year, monarch butterflies return to eastern North America after
spending the winter concentrated by the millions in a handful of small
mountain sanctuaries west of Mexico City. They flew up to 2,500 miles
to get there last fall and have survived since November in forest
sanctuaries
that serve as a blanket and umbrella against cold and rain. With just a
few
weeks left to live, they're about to begin their journey north.
They're On Their Way!
An announcement of the butterflies' grand exodus from Mexico (usually
about the time of the spring equinox in March) will alert an electronic
network of observers that the monarchs are on their way. From Mexico
to Canada hundreds of people are prepared to report the FIRST monarch
they see this season. Live reports will arrive from March until June;
First
from Texas, then at points further and further north until they finally
reach
the Canadian Provinces. When the trip ends in June it will have spanned
two monarch generations.
Science and Celebration
In a unique partnership, students and scientists will work together to
gather,
organize and analyze data about this fascinating event. They'll explore
how
wind and weather effect the journey, they'll discover the routes the
monarchs take and the risks they face along the way. They'll learn about
conservation needs on the wintering grounds and at points along the path.
Perhaps most importantly, they'll celebrate the return of this delicate
sign of
spring as it moves across the continent and gain an understanding of
global
ecological systems. In the words of one participating teacher:
"My students suddenly saw the connection between the backyard butterfly, spring temperatures and the distant country of Mexico. They were able to spring temperatures and the distant country of Mexico. They were able to see how fragile nature is, and that all living things are interconnected."
How to Participate
Beginning on March 15th, 1995 you can access this project in the
following
ways:
E-mail: To subscribe, send an E-mail message to: majordomo@informns.k12.mn.us
In the body of the message write, "subscribe jn_news_monarch"
Gopher: All migration updates will be archived in this section of the Journey North Gopher Menu.