About 

The annual migration of millions of monarch butterflies across North America is among the world’s most spectacular natural events. Facing declines in monarchs’ eastern and western populations, countries across North America are cooperating to protect this fragile species.

Through the Symbolic Migration Project, youth can also actively participate in monarch conservation. By participating in this project, educators can access lessons and activities that engage youth in monarch biology and conservation. The youth then decorate paper Symbolic Ambassador Monarch Butterflies that are then mailed and distributed to schools near the Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve in Central Mexico. These symbolic butterflies build bridges of communication among participants in Mexico, the United States, and Canada. United by the monarch butterfly, youth celebrate and pledge to protect monarchs and their extraordinary migration.

Registration is now open for the academic year (2023-2024). Register here before October 15, 2023.

Follow along by reading news updates and Ms. Estela Romero’s blog posts. Ambassadors butterflies will be delivered during the winter months until the end of February 2024. 

The Symbolic Migration Project is a partnership project between Journey North, a program of the University of Wisconsin-Madison Arboretum, and Monarchs Across Georgia, a committee of The Environmental Education Alliance, a 501(c)(3) organization. Journey North manages the interactive Symbolic Migration Participant Map and hosts all educational materials on the Journey North website. Monarchs Across Georgia administers the program and is responsible for all fundraising.