Each autumn, monarch butterflies embark on an epic journey of up to 3,000 miles from North America to Mexico. Up to a billion Monarch butterflies travel from northern areas of North America and return annually to the Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve in Mexico. Here is where they spend the winter.
What is the Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve?
The Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve in central Mexico is a world-renowned sanctuary dedicated to the protection and conservation of the monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus). Located in the rugged mountains of central Mexico, this reserve is the destination of one of the most remarkable migrations in animals. It consists of an area of 56 thousand hectares.
Every year, millions of monarch butterflies travel thousands of miles from the United States and Canada to overwinter in this unique habitat. The Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve has a variety of microclimates that provide shelter for hundreds of millions of Monarch butterflies.
Here, these monarch butterflies fill the sky, and with the beating of their wings, sound like light rain. The reserve’s cool, moist forests allow the butterflies to cluster together for warmth and protection, conserving energy until spring. These overwintering colonies are a crucial part of the monarch’s life cycle and the survival of the species.
The butterflies cluster on small areas of the forest reserve. Their collective clumps color the trees orange and their weight bends tree branches.
The concentration of the monarch butterfly in the site is overwhelming.
Photo credit: Mexico Desconocido
Ecological Significance
The area also supports a variety of other flora and fauna, contributing to its recognition as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The reserve not only serves as a haven for these butterflies but also plays a crucial role in scientific research, environmental education, and local economic development.
Fauna consists of lynx, coyote, southern striped skunk, and white-tailed deer.
Covering approximately 139,000 acres (56,000 hectares), the reserve is representative of high-altitude forest species such as oyamel fir, pine, and oak, highland pines, aile, and willows; which provide the ideal microclimate for the monarchs to survive the winter months.
Where is the Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve in Mexico?
The Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve is situated in the Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt, primarily within the states of Michoacán and the State of Mexico. It is located between the eastern part of the state of Michoacán and the western part of the State of Mexico, about 100 km northwest of Mexico City.
The reserve lies within rugged forested mountains. The area is predominantly rural.
In the state of Michoacan, the municipalities are Contepec, Senguío, Angangueo, Ocampo, Zitácuaro, and Aporo.
In the State of Mexico, the municipalities are Temascalcingo, San Felipe del Progreso, Donato Guerra, and Villa de Allende.
Protection
Researchers discovered these Monarch butterfly habitats in 1975. Mexican presidential decrees in the 1980’s and 2000 designated these areas as a federal reserve.
The Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2008.
The mission of the Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve is to protect the Monarch butterfly species and its habitat. The site protects key overwintering sites for 8 of 14 Monarch butterfly colonies that congregate in and around these forests. The site includes more than half of the overwintering colonies of the eastern population of Monarch butterflies.
The Monarch butterflies that migrate to Mexico to spend the winter and are estimated to be 70% of the total overwintering monarch butterfly population.
Protection is key as the site is an example of the areas that are essential for this natural phenomenon.
The Monarch Butterfly is in the Threatened category due to its decline in the past four decades.
Conservation Efforts
Conservation of the standing forest and the microclimates of the Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve is key. Any threat to the forest is of concern.
The reserve faces multiple threats, including illegal logging, climate change, and habitat fragmentation. Conservation strategies are focused on forest protection, sustainable tourism, local community involvement, and international cooperation. Environmental education programs and scientific research initiatives play a vital role in raising awareness and finding solutions to preserve this delicate ecosystem.
One known threat is illegal logging. Combined efforts and action between federal, state and local agencies, and local communities take priority.
As the natural phenomenon significantly attracts visitors, there is an increase of visitors and public use. Management needs to be directed towards sustainable public use of the property, such that the impact on the ecosystem and the quality of experience provided to visitors is controlled and promotes a sharing of benefits.
Conservation of the monarch butterfly by those countries through which it travels also requires attention, due to their migratory nature.
The overwintering concentration of butterflies in the property is an extraordinary natural phenomenon.
Local Communities and Tourism
Several indigenous and local communities live within and around the Biosphere Reserve. Ecotourism is an important source of income, with visitors coming from around the world to witness the spectacular sight of millions of butterflies clustered on tree branches. Guided tours, educational programs, and community-run visitor centers promote sustainable tourism while supporting conservation efforts and local livelihoods.
Visiting the Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve in Mexico
Witnessing this unique phenomenon is an exceptional experience.
The best time to visit the Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve is from late November to early March when the butterflies are present. Popular entry points include El Rosario, Sierra Chincua, and Cerro Pelón sanctuaries. Visitors are advised to respect park guidelines and support conservation-friendly practices.
The Monarch Butterfly Sanctuaries are open to the public from November to March.
In the state of Michoacán, you can visit Parador Turístico El Rosario, Centro de Cultura para la Conservación Sierra Chincua, and Parador Turístico Senguio.
In the State of Mexico, you can visit the Parador Turístico El Capulín y Macheros and Parador Turístico La Mesa.
You can help the local economy by consuming products from the region, traditional food, and handicrafts, made by Mexican hands.
All tourist stops have restroom services, traditional food and snacks.
There are handicrafts, hiking, horseback riding and bicycle tours, and some have extreme sports such as zip lining. Wear comfortable shoes as it is a mountainous area.
Please take care of the Monarch butterfly sanctuaries!
When you visit the Monarch butterfly sanctuaries, respect the rules of the reserve.
The ejidatarios will indicate the recommendations to ensure conservation.
- Visit the sanctuary with the help of a specialized guide.
- Abide by the provisions.
- Do not bring sound equipment (tape recorder, radio, etc.)
- Don’t leave rubbish, don’t make noise.
- Don’t take butterflies, dead or alive. It is strictly forbidden!
Read more about the Monarch Butterfly in Mexico.
Conclusion
The Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve is a testament to the interconnectedness of global ecosystems and the importance of conservation. Its forests provide a temporary home for millions of butterflies, making it a symbol of hope for biodiversity and environmental stewardship. By supporting sustainable tourism and conservation efforts, visitors and researchers alike contribute to the preservation of this extraordinary natural phenomenon for future generations.
In the spring, Monarch butterflies begin an 8-month migration. They leave Mexico and head north to Canada. Generally, the Monarchs heading north make it as far as the southern United States. They lay eggs and die. The next generation makes their way to Eastern Canada. Four successive generations are born and die. Monarch butterflies in Canada then head back to central Mexico.
It takes 3 months for the monarchs to migrate to Mexico.
How they find their way back to their overwintering site in Mexico remains a mystery.
Author: AllMexico.store
References
The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)
Mariposa Monarca Biosphere Reserve, Mexico (unesco.org)
Did you know?
The monarch butterfly is the only animal species with a migratory pattern that skips four generations. It has a brain that is the size of a pinhead, that is loaded with genetic messages, allowing the one-gram insect to travel more than 4,000 kilometers and find the forests where its ancestors from four previous generations spent the winter the previous year.