Every fall a “super” generation of monarch butterflies leaves Canada to renew an ancient, 4,000-kilometre migration to the Mexican oyamel fir forests. Like many Canadian “snowbirds,” monarch butterflies—now considered an endangered species—spend the winter in the sun. Want to join them?
Enter the “Monarchs in Mexico” contest. You could win a 10-day trip for two to admire the monarchs’ beauty in Mexico—their winter home—and may be inspired to become their ambassador for life. The contest is part of the Butterflyway Project launched by the David Suzuki Foundation last spring to raise awareness among Canadians of the threats facing the monarch.
Restoring 1.8 billion milkweed stems could boost the monarch population (Credit/Inhabitat)
What’s endangering the monarchs?
The Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve, which was established in 1980 about 100 kilometres northwest of Mexico City, is suffering the effects of illegally logging. The butterfly species is also facing severe depletion of the milkweed caused by the use of herbicides on agricultural crops.
Monarchs are symbolic of what’s happening on a larger scale. You eliminate monarchs, and you eliminate everything else that shares that habitat.
—Chip Taylor, founder and director of Monarch Watch,
Milkweed is necessary for the development of the insects’ egg into butterfly—in fact, monarch caterpillars only eat milkweed. Other factors harming the monarch butterfly migratory population include extreme changes in weather and environmental disasters.
Reader’s Digest Magazine named David Suzuki Canada’s most-trusted influencer for 2015 (Credit/David Suzuki Books)
David Suzuki Foundation
Through evidence-based research, policy analysis, education and citizen empowerment, the David Suzuki Foundation works to conserve and protect the natural environment to create a sustainable Canada. The Foundation collaborates with non-profit and community organisations, all levels of government, businesses and individuals. Project work is supported by individual donors, foundation grants and corporate support, but the Foundation does not solicit or accept government funding.
The monarch’s spring migration can take up to 8 months (Credit/David Suzuki Foundation)
“Monarchs in Mexico” prize
- 10-day trip for two to Mexico from February 17–26, 2018, including round-trip flights
- Organised tour and all accommodation
- The awe-inspiring spectacle of millions of butterflies at the El Rosario and Sierra Chincua sanctuaries, part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site
- Visits to historic central Mexico City, colonial towns and national parks
The “Monarchs in Mexico” contest is presented by Nature’s Way and Cascades, in partnership with Espace pour la vie, Aeroplan and G Adventures. Aeroplan will buy carbon credits to offset greenhouse gas emissions from the flights to and from Mexico.
Enter the “Monarchs in Mexico” contest now—you could win a once-in-a-lifetime experience trip for two!
Good luck!
Written By: Adriane Rysz