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CO-BENEFIT FOCUS

Restoring the Monarch Butterfly Reserve Mexico

  • MONARCH BUTTERFLY RESERVE
  • MICHOACÁN, MEXICO
  • 2016

TREES PLANTED

21K

PROTECTED WATER SOURCES

31+

PROJECT STARTED

2016

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 route

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.

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Meet the Site

Video

Challenges — Solutions

Protecting the Monarch Butterfly with the help of local partners & communities

In addition to reforesting and restoring the ecosystem of the monarch butterfly, we support the local community and economy: by working directly with them, we can contribute to job creation and ensure the protection of the plantings. The reforestation projects also benefit residents in terms of clean water, as the Reserve feeds 20+ bodies of water, playing a critical role in supplying water to millions of people in Mexico.

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AFTER
Artemio Montesinos, Proyect Manager
PROJECT MANAGER

“The extra highlight of this effort was the level of community engagement and enthusiasm from people of all ages. They really made an effort to help us finish the planting in optimal weather conditions.”

Artemio Montesinos, Proyect Manager
CO-BENEFITS

Beyond Carbon

CLIMATE

Supporting clean water sources and ecosystem balance

By restoring the soil and afforesting the region, we're supporting ecosystems and water sources: the reserve feeds 23 springs, 8 dams, and many bodies of water, supplying water to millions of people in Mexico.

BIODIVERSITY

Restoring the Reserve for generations to come

Restoring the degraded land will improve soil quality, restore biodiversity, protect and restore this essential migratory corridor and maintain balance in the area, as well as protect local water sources.

COMMUNITY

Ensuring environmental stewardship for local communities

By working directly with the stewards of the reserve, the indigenous Mazahuas communities, and other local groups, we can contribute to the local economy and ensure planting protection.

PARTNERS

Who did we work with?

Ministry of Protected Natural Areas

Partner

Ministry of Protected Natural Areas

CONAFOR

Partner- Mexican Ministry of Forestry

CONAFOR

international paper

Partner

INTERNATIONAL PAPER

ARBOR DAY FOUNDATION

Partner

ARBOR DAY FOUNDATION

World Wildlife Fund

Partner

WORLD WILDLIFE FUND

L'OREAL

Partner

L'OREAL

Ministry of Protected Natural Areas

Partner

Ministry of Protected Natural Areas

CONAFOR

Partner- Mexican Ministry of Forestry

CONAFOR

international paper

Partner

INTERNATIONAL PAPER

ARBOR DAY FOUNDATION

Partner

ARBOR DAY FOUNDATION

World Wildlife Fund

Partner

WORLD WILDLIFE FUND

L'OREAL

Partner

L'OREAL

Ministry of Protected Natural Areas

Partner

Ministry of Protected Natural Areas

CONAFOR

Partner- Mexican Ministry of Forestry

CONAFOR

international paper

Partner

INTERNATIONAL PAPER

ARBOR DAY FOUNDATION

Partner

ARBOR DAY FOUNDATION

World Wildlife Fund

Partner

WORLD WILDLIFE FUND

L'OREAL

Partner

L'OREAL