Migration, Monarchs and Milkweed
Monarch butterflies make an amazing journey, migrating north each spring from their principle wintering grounds in the Mexican mountains to the northern United States and southern Canada and back again. The entire journey takes three or more generations. Female monarch lay their eggs on milkweed and the caterpillars feed solely on milkweed leaves. 
Visit Journey North: Monarch Butterfly to learn more about the monarch's migration. Conservation
The monarchs overwinter in a very small area in the mountains of Mexico, making them vulnerable to habitat loss. Breeding sites that contain milkweed are crucial to their survival as they journey north. The Commission for Environmental Cooperation is encouraging the three countries to work together on environmental protection. Mexican and Canadian governments have taken steps to protect monarch butterfly habitat, but there are no laws in place in the United States. Here are some useful links:Mexican Government Protects Monarch Habitat
Protecting Monarchs - Wildlife Preservation Canada
Point Pelee Park, Ontario, Canada Monarch Migration
North American Monarch Conservation Plan
COSEWIC Species Database
What can you do to help?
WWF Conservation in Your Backyard
Nature Canada How to Plant a Butterfly Garden
Monarch Butterfly Site
Good Information. There is a new report on the status of Monarch's in Canada in the works. As rare as their visits to Edmonton are there is still much we can do to make their visits successful. I attached a link of some more interesting information for the blog. Hope it's of interest.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.cosewic.gc.ca/eng/sct1/searchdetail_e.cfm?id=294&StartRow=51&boxStatus=All&boxTaxonomic=All&location=All&change=All&board=10&commonName=&scienceName=&returnFlag=0&Page=6
Hi there, thanks for the link! We were pretty excited to see monarchs in the Edmonton area last year. We visited the Devonian Botanic Garden and staff showed us a monarch chrysalis on their milkweed. http://www.devonian.ualberta.ca/
ReplyDeleteI'm amazed how these creatures can construct such amazing migration routes all in the name of survival. Most of us will spend our entire lives never truly knowing how to survive.
ReplyDeleteI agree. If you get a chance to watch the IMAX Flight of the Butterflies movie, its pretty amazing!
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