Restoring the Monarch Butterfly Reserve Mexico

Protecting the Monarch Butterfly's Migratory Route

The instantly recognizable flashes of fiery orange and black mark the wing pattern of the Monarch butterfly. Flying south from Canada to Michoacán, Mexico, the Monarch’s migration pattern is even more extraordinary than its iconic wings.

They make this incredible journey every year, stopping to rest and breed in Michoacán, protected by a 13,000-hectare biosphere reserve. Their survival solely relies on the native Oyamel tree, the Abies Religiosa or ‘Sacred Fir.’ Due to illegal harvesting and a major forest fire in 1978, the reserve and migratory route are threatened. Up to 25% of the reserve's land is degraded.

The Monarch Butterfly plays a vital role in pollination and agricultural productivity. They attract tourists who are looking to understand their fascinating migratory patterns. It is essential to protect their habitat to ensure their continued survival.

What is a Migratory Route? Tracing the Monarch Butterfly's Path

Migratory routes have enormous ecological importance. They enable fast-moving animals to take cover and settle where they can access food and shelter from inhospitable environments according to seasonality.

These pathways are ways to preserve wildlife populations, key to the survival of many species, such as the Monarch butterfly. By moving from one habitat to another, this species can ensure survival and take shelter for months before resuming their journey.

Safeguarding The Monarch Butterfly's Migratory Journey

Situated about 125km outside Mexico City, the Monarch butterflies arrive every autumn. This biosphere reserve simultaneously hosts up to 70% of the global monarch population. That's hundreds of millions of butterflies!

The monarch arrives from Canada and the US during their 8-month migration. Their path is a mystery, but we know the reserve is critical to survival. We work with local communities, stimulating local economies and ensuring planting protection.

Since 2016, Land Life has worked with ejidos (i.e., community-governed land) to restore forests along the migrator corridor and in a buffer around the biosphere reserve to create protected areas for Monarchs during their long journey. Together with NatureForward and the Arbor Day Foundation, we have planted 568 acres (230 hectares) with 211,600 trees while also funding education and community engagement projects.