Monarch butterflies are icons. From Effie’s dress in The Hunger Games to their cultural significance throughout Mexico, they hold a great deal of importance.
Just the other day as I was walking to my car after class, I noticed several of them fluttering about the small bushes and flower gatherings. There they landed, peaceful and as stunning as I remembered from my childhood.
What is the Monarch Migration?
The famous migration happens annually when these winged-insects travel up to 3,000 miles from the United States (their breeding ground) to the Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve in Zitacuaro, Mexico. They stay there throughout the winter for the warmer climate, eventually returning to make an additional 600 mile journey to the U.S. to plant their eggs.Â
“The monarch’s migratory pattern is the most highly evolved of any known species of its kind.”
– World Wildlife Fund
Pride & Butterflies
Growing up, I was fascinated by the stories my mom shared about her childhood in Mexico. Times that my mother would walk around the (then) small town of San Luis del Cordero picking blackberries from my abuelita’s tree, cooking soup on the hottest day of the year and spending days in the beautiful blue house that she called home.
Living in the panhandle of Nebraska was the complete opposite of what I had imagined my mother’s home country to be. The closest I got was the occasional photograph or horribly stereotypical representation in movies.Â
Then one day, my dad took me to the Denver Museum of Nature and Science. As we wandered the halls and exhibits, my eyes wandered to a massive poster littered with bundles of monarch butterflies. I remember pointing to it and asking what it was.
Cut to ten minutes later, we were in line for a 3D IMAX screening for Flight of the Butterflies. We sat ourselves in the large theatre and as the lights dimmed I sat in silent anticipation. Suddenly a bright light blinded me and when I blinked away the panic I was amazed at hundreds of monarch butterflies dancing around me.Â
The film was a factually accurate but dramatic retelling of the great migration of monarch butterflies from Canada and the U.S. to Mexico during the wintertime. But what fascinated me most was that I got to learn the historical, ecological and cultural significance of Mexico and the great monarch. For once, my understanding of my own culture wasn’t born from racist stereotypes or my mother’s memories but visibly within reach and much more incredible than I imagined.
From that moment on, it was solidified that my favorite insect was the monarch butterfly.
Why Should We Care?
Aside from my personal connection to them, monarch butterflies are incredibly important to millions of people, different communities and to our environment. Yet, monarchs have been steadily declining over the years, mostly due to deforestation, pesticides and climate change.Â
Without the forests to shelter the butterflies from storms, fluctuating temperatures and milkweed to feed caterpillars, this winged icon is at risk. However, scientists are hard at work to preserve the existing population and help protect the butterflies on an individual level.Â
Everyone can also join the efforts by planting milkweed or pollinator friendly plants at home, advocating for climate safety, or adopting a monarch of your own! No step is too small and even making yourself aware is incredibly important.
So, as the weeks turn colder and the leaves continue to fall, I encourage you to look out for the monarchs while you still can! Places where they’ve been commonly spotted include outside Michener Library, Glenmere Park, or anywhere particularly sunny around Greeley.
In the spirit of supporting monarchs, consider supporting local efforts to protect butterflies and other insects as well.