The eastern migratory Monarch butterfly population has decreased by 59 % in 2024 compared to 2023. The butterfly colonies are measured in acreage, a drop from 5.5 acres to 2.2 acres over last year indicate this drastic decline.
Leading causes are pesticides use, habitat loss, extreme weather, decease…Even though an increasing number of environmental groups and individuals are advocating for the monarchs, bees and pollinators, their numbers are still plummeting.
Many Rotary clubs have taken on projects to support pollinators from bee conservation, wetland protection to pollinator gardens.
My very own club [Peterborough Kawartha] has also been involved in various activities working with other community groups to raise awareness and take action to save the Monarch’s.
Monarch Butterfly Festival (Millennium Garden)The Peterborough Monarch Ultra team has had a busy fall advocating for Monarch Butterflies.
We organized the second annual Monarch festival and run at Peterborough’s beautiful Millennium Park. A big thank you goes out to the Peterborough Kawartha Rotary Club for their ongoing support, as well to local businesses and the many volunteers who made this festival happen.
The purpose of the festival is to raise awareness about the state of our environment and call out for action.
A 1 km run for children and 10 km adult run on this sunny Saturday morning in September brought out families and friends to cheer the runners.
The run raised funds for Nacion Verde, a Mexican environmental organization in the state of Michoacán. Illegal logging of the Oyamel Fir and other trees in the forest sanctuaries is destroying the winter habitat of the Monarch Butterflies. Nacion Verde plants and manages young sapling to preserve this important biosphere for the Monarchs, while at the same time provides employment for the local community and encourages international eco-tourism.
The festival was a big success for all participants. 12 local environmental community groups displayed materials ranging from honeybees to heat pumps. Our aim is to educate folks about various aspects of the environment and connect with likeminded Monarch Butterfly enthusiasts.
We entertained a big crowd with live music, Zumba dancing, a children section with face painting and arts, speakers, food, drink and a lot of fun. Everyone is exited for next year's festival.
The Monarch Ultra Documentary
Finally, 5 years after the epic relay run from Peterborough, Ontario to Macheros, Mexico we all got to see the premiere of the long-awaited Monarch Ultra Documentary. The fully sold-out Peterborough Market Hall for the Arts set the stage for family, friends and pollinator enthusiasts.
The film tells the story when in the fall of 2019 a team of 4 individuals, including myself, embarked on a 7 weeklong journey from Peterborough to Mexico. The aim was to raise awareness about the depletion of the Monarch Butterfly. We traveled 4300 km, following the migration route of the Monarch Butterfly from eastern Canada and the northern United Sated all the way to a Sanctuaries in the Sierra Mountains.
Seeing the documentary brought back many memories and emotions of us once in a lifetime experience.
46 different Runners from Canada, the USA and Mexico ran 50 or 100 km per day. They ran along county roads, trails and superhighways, while enduring extreme heat, storms, traffic, pollution, noise, fatigue and lots of pain.
Just Imagine, a little delicate butterfly, the weight of a paperclip, travelling at about the same speed as the runners while facing the same and more challenges of their own. Many don’t make it due to extreme weather, lack of food, pesticide poisoning, disease and habitat loss.
While travelling three countries, we met with other environmentalists, media, talked in large school auditoriums, at a San Antonio city council meeting and connected with thousands on social media.
We mostly stayed at camp sites or in hotel parking lots for the night. I drove the mobile home, cooked and kept our tiny home clean and orderly. Occasionally we spent the night or a meal with a Rotary club providing us with the opportunity to share our story about Butterflies and the running.
We had to overcome many technical challenges with our fragile 32-year-old Mobile home, with long and hot days, always on the move and little privacy or time for ourselves, every night at a different place, a 100 km closer to our goal, exhausted physically and mentally.
In the morning, a new runner, pumped and nervous taking off, waning with each checkpoint, breaking walls with pain and finally, crossing the finish line with emotion, joy and victory.
We made it all the way to Zitacuaro, Michoacán, known as the monarch capital of Mexico in time for a joyous city hall welcome.
Next morning, a team of Canadian, American and Mexican runners ran up to the sanctuaries of Macheros. At higher altitudes, we all walked the last stretch with butterflies all about us.
Quietly we joined together to honour the Monarchs and the beauty surrounding us. Later a large community fiesta brought the village together to celebrate our visit and show gratitude for our efforts to protect their heritage and the sacred Mariposa Monarca. A magical and spiritual sight we must protect for ever.
For more > www.themonarchultra.com
The Monarch Ultra team Celebrating at the premiere
Clay Williams, Gūnther Schubert, Carlotta James and Rodney Fuentes.