GeoffsThousandWords
Monarch Butterfly Migration
Imagine running a relay race with your great grandparents, grandparents, parents, and grandchildren.
Each winter, high in the mountains west of Mexico City, tens of millions of Monarch’s from Canada, USA, and northern South America make the up-to 3,000 mile flight to this one spot on earth. Since Monarch’s live as little as 2 - 6 weeks, each generation has never made their contribution to the circle in their life. How do they know where to go?
Although locals would have known for ages of their annual arrival, the location wasn’t documented until 1975. It’s unfathomable the effort it would have taken to track their overwintering spot, as even today with horses it was challenging to reach 11,200 feet.
Kudos to the villagers of Angangueo, who realized their gift from the Gods and stopped mineral mining and tree removal in favour of ecotourism and silviculture. The result, a year-round, sustainable livelihood for people, and a welcoming habitat for these valuable, brave pollinators.
Monarch Butterfly Migration
Imagine running a relay race with your great grandparents, grandparents, parents, and grandchildren.
Each winter, high in the mountains west of Mexico City, tens of millions of Monarch’s from Canada, USA, and northern South America make the up-to 3,000 mile flight to this one spot on earth. Since Monarch’s live as little as 2 - 6 weeks, each generation has never made their contribution to the circle in their life. How do they know where to go?
Although locals would have known for ages of their annual arrival, the location wasn’t documented until 1975. It’s unfathomable the effort it would have taken to track their overwintering spot, as even today with horses it was challenging to reach 11,200 feet.
Kudos to the villagers of Angangueo, who realized their gift from the Gods and stopped mineral mining and tree removal in favour of ecotourism and silviculture. The result, a year-round, sustainable livelihood for people, and a welcoming habitat for these valuable, brave pollinators.