Journey North: Monarch Butterfly

In a unique partnership, you can join students and scientists across North America this spring to track the monarch butterfly's migration from Mexico.

We begin in February when the monarchs are at their winter refuge deep in central Mexico. The monarch's unique winter habitat is found on only 12 mountaintops on the planet, and the monarch's story is one of nature's most incredible examples of adaptation and survival.

Spring migration begins in March, and an announcement comes from Mexico that the monarchs are on their way. After living off their fat reserves all winter, tens of millions of monarch butterflies head northward. With just a few weeks to live, they race to produce the next generation.

As the migration progresses from March through June, students predict the path the monarchs travel and map their journey north. They explore what scientists know about migration mysteries, and discover how much more there is to learn. They see the many risks the monarchs face and learn about conservation efforts underway to protect monarchs--on the wintering grounds and at points along the path.

Perhaps most importantly, students participate in an annual, international celebration as this delicate sign of spring moves across the continent.