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Eyes on the Butterflies
One of world’s most spectacular natural phenomena is North America ’s Monarch butterfly migration. Every fall, millions of Monarchs migrate thousands of miles from Canada and the United States to spend the winter in central Mexico and return northward in the spring. In addition to completing this amazing and arduous journey, Monarch butterflies also contribute to important ecosystem function—as pollinators as well as indicators of healthy lands. However, Monarch habitat is disappearing throughout its range, posing serious threats to the population’s long-term viability.
To help conserve this magnificent species and its habitats, the US Forest Service International Programs, is working with a wide range of partners across the Monarch migratory path, or flyway. International Programs coordinates and advances conservation efforts through technical assistance, training and community outreach across the flyway. Moreover,through environmental education programs on the Monarch, the Forest Service is engaging a wide range of audiences, including urban youth and schoolchildren along the flyway.
Two recent projects include:
MonarchLive: A Distance Learning Adventure
Beginning in October 2008 and continuing into 2009, “MonarchLIVE - A Distance Learning Adventure.” – a live, electronic and interactive field trip for students, educators and communities – will connect classrooms across Canada , the US , Mexico and other countries via the internet. Webcasts will trail the migration of the Monarchs in real time, and will showcase current efforts of students, citizens and scientists. Initiated by the US Forest Service International Programs, the Prince Williams School Network in Virginia, Forest Service Conservation Education, and other partners are joining the project to integrate distance learning methods with hands-on activities to increase monarch habitat, promote conservation and foster student-led projects in urban schools and communities.. Highlights of this electronic adventure include a look at monarch winter habitat and communities in Mexico , and butterfly gardens in Chicago , IL and St. Paul , MN . Free for schools to register, hundreds of schools and thousands of students are expected to join in the program. To learn more, visit: http://monarch.pwnet.org or view the flyer.
Monarch Conservation Techniques Workshop
In early June, International Programs sponsored the Monarch Conservation Techniques Workshop, held on the Hiawatha National Forest . The curriculum on Monarch conservation was extensive. Participants learned about monarch larva monitoring, butterfly tagging techniques, native plant propagation and site restoration. In addition, there were presentations on the biology of the butterflies, the Monarch Monitoring Handbook, the Monarch Larva Monitoring Project, threats to pollinators and reasons for their decline, the upcoming MonarchLive webcast, restoration projects on the Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie, the Monarch Butterfly Partnership, how-to-create a backyard greenhouse, plant propagation, how-to-create a native garden, how-to incorporate pollinators in your program of work and Monarchs in the Classroom. Field visits also complimented the activities. Twenty-five attendees from the US Forest Service, National Park Service, Michigan State University Extension Service, The Nature Conservancy, Marquette and Schoolcraft County Conservation Districts , Michigan Department of Natural Resources, and educators from Houston Wilderness, El Valor in Chicago, Monarch Sister School Program and The Cedar Tree Institute participated. |
