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Symbolic
Migration Update: April 13, 2010 |
Your
return envelopes will soon be on their way back to you. Inside them
you will receive an ambassador butterfly, news from the sanctuary
area, and your "seeds of hope." Make room in your schoolyard
garden to plant your milkweed seeds. Provide food for monarchs and
hope for future monarch generations. When you receive your ambassador
butterfly report to the Spring Map!
Today's
Report Includes:
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Adiós
Butterflies! Friendship
and Monarch Conservation |
Here
at the Journey North Symbolic Migration headquarters we are preparing
each and every return envelope with something special. Even though
your symbolic butterflies were destroyed in the flood disaster you
will receive one special "ambassador" butterfly made by
children living near Saltillo, Mexico. These children are helping
to protect the monarch’s migration pathway through northern
Mexico. In the Saltillo area students can see thousands of monarchs
migrating overhead in the spring and fall!
You
will also receive a newsletter with helpful information, and news
from Estela Romero. Estela will tell you about her work and how
important it has been to share your messages of goodwill. She will
explain how the students learned about soil erosion and de-forestation
and how to protect monarch habitat in their mountainous region.
Your
return envelopes will also contain milkweed "Seeds of Hope."
Look
for your return envelopes to arrive the first week of May.
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Hope
for Future Monarchs: Milkweed "Seeds of Hope" |
This
has been a difficult year for both the symbolic butterflies and
the real monarch population. Scientists reported the overwintering
monarch population was at an all time low in and around the sanctuaries
in Mexico.
Early
spring monarch sighting reports indicate the migrating population
is small. Dr. Chip Taylor of Monarch Watch says, "We have no
prior experience with such a small returning population and it is
uncertain whether monarchs in such numbers could recover in one
year."
How
You Can Help Monarch Conservation
Help
the monarch population recover by planting milkweed seeds. Monarch
larvae have only one food source. They rely 100% on the leaves of
the milkweed plant for survival. You can provide food for monarchs
and hope for future monarch generations by planting some "Seeds
of Hope" that are enclosed inside your return envelope.
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MBF
News: Satellite
Snapshot of Sanctuaries |
Last
fall, over 400 classrooms
sent $7,573 to support monarch butterfly conservation in Mexico.
This spring, the Monarch Butterfly Fund used your financial support
to purchase a satellite image of the butterfly sanctuaries. The
image is so detailed it may even show the monarch colonies.
Experts
feel that this year's devastating flooding was the direct result
of misused natural resources. The satellite images will help document
changes to the sanctuary forests and fields.
This
is the second year in a row that satellite images were purchased.
These
images will have permanent value for science and conservation. Students
will always
know that these 2010 images were made possible through their own
generosity.
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Section
of the Monarch Butterfly Reserve in Mexico
The area outlined in blue will be included in the satellite image.
More...
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Symbolic
Migration Map: Share
the News of Your Stewardship |
Coming
May 1st: Report to the Symbolic Migration Map
Teachers:
Add to map (please!)
When
you receive your spring return envelope share the news of your
stewardship!
Report:
- You've
welcomed your ambassador butterfly.
- You've
planted milkweed seeds of hope.
- You
are watching for and will report the first monarch butterfly and
milkweed you see this spring!
Students:
Check out the
map
Find
out what other students are doing! |
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Classrooms
in Action: Monarch Conservation and Flood Relief Donations |
Oxford
Elementary School, Oxford, Michigan
"We
will get the word out about monarch butterflies, their beauty, and
what they need to survive."
- Find
out what these students did with some milkweed seeds.
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Making
milkweed packets.
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Assumption
Academy in Emerson, NJ
Assumption Academy students decided to have a bake sale
to raise money for the Angangueo flood victims. By the end of the
fundraiser, 21 third grade students in Louise Lucivero's class raised
$300 for their friends in Angangueo.
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Students
raised $300 for their friends in Angangueo! |
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