SYMBOLIC MONARCH MIGRATION

SYMBOLIC MONARCH MIGRATION 

Although monarch butterflies born in the summer will live only a few weeks, the generation that emerges in late summer and early fall is different. These butterflies are born to migrate and may live up to eight or nine months. From the Hendersonville area, their epic journey to Mexico covers at least 2,000 miles. Like clockwork, the first migrating monarchs typically reach their overwintering habitats high in the mountains of central Mexico by the first of November.

The annual international Symbolic Monarch Migration education program mimics the monarchs’ journey by engaging more than 10,000 children from across the United States and Canada in creating paper butterflies to send to students in Mexico. As the real-life monarchs arrive in Mexico for the winter, the symbolic paper butterflies will also be delivered to schools surrounding the Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve. Sometime in spring after the living monarchs’ departure from Mexico, groups of paper butterflies will also return north, carrying special messages from the students in Mexico. United by the monarch butterfly, children across North America learn authentic lessons of conservation and cooperation.

As part of Monarch Month, Henderson County youth are invited to participate in the 29th annual Symbolic Monarch Migration education program being coordinated by Bullington Gardens in partnership with local volunteers and sponsors. The following sponsors have provided funding for up to 75 local classrooms and groups (20 from within the City of Hendersonville plus 55 from anywhere within Henderson County) to participate at no charge:

Any group (up to 30 participants) of youth located within Henderson County may take part in the program including public or private school classrooms, home school groups, afterschool groups, childcare centers, girls/boys clubs, scout troops, 4-H clubs, YMCA groups, other youth organizations, religious groups, nonprofit organizations, families, etc. In addition, all participating groups will be eligible to receive free native butterfly milkweed plants (thanks to Timbo Wilkins and Costa Farms North Carolina), common milkweed plants (thanks to Blue Ridge Community College Horticulture Technology Program) and/or 1-3 live monarch caterpillars or chrysalides (as naturally available) to “adopt” to raise and release.  We will also offer electronic copies of the "Wild for Monarchs" elementary curriculum guide and monarch life cycle posters (in English and Spanish) developed by Champions for Wildlife. Additional details about these supplemental optional resources will be provided to teachers/leaders after registering their classrooms/groups.

Directions for Participation:

Schools/Organizations-

Review all program requirements in the leader packet. Instead of purchasing a “Passenger Ticket” for your group, please email us and provide your school/group name and location to receive a free registration code and instructions for how to register your classroom/group to participate in the Symbolic Monarch Migration program at no cost. The deadline to request a free registration code for your group is Friday, September 21, 2024. The deadline to mail your group’s symbolic/paper butterflies is Monday, September 30, 2024.

Individual Students-

Students who are not part of registered classroom or group may also participate at no charge by creating a paper butterfly and delivering it to Bullington Gardens by Monday, September 30, 2024.