About
the Symbolic Migration: Over 56,000 paper butterflies
were made last fall by children in the United States and Canada,
and sent to the children who live beside the monarch sanctuaries
in Mexico. These Symbolic Monarch ambassadors will come back next
spring and "migrate" back to classrooms when the actual
monarchs begin their journey north.
The
butterflies' fall flight is timed to correspond with the real
monarchs' journey south. The paper butterflies arrive in Mexico
around the time of the Dia de los Muertos (November 2), just
as the real monarchs do. According to Mexican legend, these
returning butterflies are thought to carry the ancestors' souls
and play a role in the Dia de los Muertos celebrations.
Mexican
students from the sanctuary region greet the butterflies and
watch over them during the winter months. At the same time in
the mountains nearby, the entire eastern population of North
American monarch butterflies are resting in Mexico for the winter.
Sometime next March, when the real monarchs' departure from
Mexico is announced, the paper butterflies will return. The
butterflies will carry a special message from the Mexican students
to the students in Canada and U. S. who made them.
Please
Join Us!
Your participation in this symbolic event represents tremendous
international support for the monarch!