The Butterflies That Bring Me Joy

 

The Monarch Butterfly is one of the greatest pollinators in North America. Decorated in the very famous orange base, black stripes, and white spots, these butterflies make the greatest migration out of all other insects. From the heart of Mexico to the base of Canada, their migration track has been found all over the United States.  

 When I was a little girl, my mother would take me to Natural Bridges every October. Tucked in the eucalyptus trees were thousands upon thousands of Monarch Butterflies. Little did I know these magnificent insects would become one of my most cherished accomplishments.

 

     I was always an avid animal and nature lover. From a young age I never liked eating animals, and since the age of 18, kept a vegetarian to plant based diet. By my early 20s I fully embraced the vegan lifestyle. My mother was also an animal lover, and taught me how to rescue dogs from the side of the road. With her knowledge I expanded into conservation learning. I used to believe that you needed a masters to a doctorate degree to help nature - to my happy surprise, you don't!

 

    My education was focused on early childhood development. A lot of this education is focused on communities and worldly experiences. Working one on one with families facing hardship, to government interventions, these experiences shape your view on education in different ways. During my studies, I found myself leaning more and more to Kurt Hahn's work, outdoor education. I ended up working for a school that based itself in the philosophy of outdoor education. There is where the Monarch conservation work was born.

 

    The school was already located a few miles from Natural Bridges, so the Monarch's were popular with the students. One day the students had asked me "What do these caterpillars eat?". I realized that I knew very little about them. This lead into a full lesson about the life cycle of a Monarch, which then lead to keeping some caterpillars to help them grow, to the school garden becoming a refugee area for the amazing insects. Within a few months I became a self made conservationist, and I didn't even know it. The children were extremely proud of themselves as well (as they should be).

     

                                            

    As my disability has progressed, and I am no longer able to work, I still keep a safe place for these amazing butterflies. No matter where I live, milkweed and sage will be always found around my place. The butterfly numbers have dropped drastically due to their environment being taken away, and the ever warming climate. Helping these pollinators makes a huge positive impact for the world we all share. All you have to do is designate a small area in your yard, or balcony, for native milkweed (tropical milkweed kills them). You don't even have to plant it - the plants can live fine in pots. Then stay patient and keep your eye out for visiting friends. Soon you will have beautiful green and black caterpillars eating at your plant! To keep them extra safe, move the plants into the shade during the summer. The summer high heats have become unbearable on their bodies, so extra water will also be needed.