The Great Monarch Migration

A kaleidoscope of auburn hues, white and black decorate the sky as monarch butterflies migrate to the southern hemisphere. Not only is this migration beautiful, it is also essential for the ecosystem.

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Monarch butterflies help pollinate many plants that grow into foods we enjoy such as squash and blueberries. Monarch butterflies have recently been declared an endangered species. Monarch butterflies cannot survive long, cold winters and they are the only butterfly to migrate such long distances to warmer climates.

Niagara Parks help people experience this annual phenomenon while educating them about the preservation of these beautiful creatures. Each butterfly that’s tagged through this event will be available to track through the University of Kansas tracking website, Monarch Watch. These important programs allow researchers to identify the number of monarch butterflies in the area, collect data on the migration, learn how they are surviving in the environment and the actions we can take to protect their habitats. 

Niagara Parks also hosted  a free education event. The event took place  in front of the Butterfly Conservatory within the grounds of the Niagara Parks Botanical Gardens and School of Horticulture. This event  helped educate people about monarch butterflies and conservation actions that can be taken to preserve their species. 

The fall migration of monarch butterflies happens during the months of September through to November. Approximately 500,000 monarch butterflies migrate from the northern states and rocky mountains to the California coast and Mexico. 

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For more information about monarch butterflies and the migration please visit the Niagara Parks website.