- With the participation of mayors and representatives from 25 municipalities in the state, officials made a commitment to preserve the monarch butterfly’s migratory route as well as to disseminate knowledge and conservation of pollinator species and native plants.
Gerrecuaro, GTO., May 20, 2023.- The sum of actions and commitments between the state and the municipalities in the protection of natural resources, allows the conservation of the ecosystem and the flora and fauna living in it.
This was highlighted by the head of the Ministry of Environment and Territorial Planning (SMAOT) during the signing of the agreement.The municipalities of Guanajuato to conserve the migration route of the monarchs In which he highlighted the importance of pollination for the life of the planet and its inhabitants.
80% of the food we make and consume depends on pollination, hence its importance.
“For the state government, it is a priority to work with our municipalities to preserve this migratory route, which is why we have made an effort since the establishment of the secretariat and we have followed the guidelines that the governor himself has promoted us. .. in the last 4 and a half years we have established 76 pollination gardens, which are broadcast year after year, using an application that not only benefits Guanajuato, that application has allowed us to recognize where the migrant route from Canada came from. Our application allowed us to identify that there are two routes that cross into the United States and that come to join Guanajuato before we reach the sanctuaries are the final stops; we want to double down on those efforts to promote recognition of what we call perch trees, which are more pollinating gardens, these trees that monarchs visit year after year, a compromise The fundamental part is to identify areas or areas that can be declared as municipalities or voluntary ANPs to preserve the treasure that we have, that heritage” Gave Assurance.
with the participation of Mayors and representatives from 25 state municipalitiesThe authorities made a commitment to conserve the monarch butterfly’s migratory route, as well as to disseminate knowledge and conserve pollinator species and native plants.
Through this initiative, for two years, municipalities will work to create and preserve feeding and resting habitats for the monarch butterfly, promote the use of native plants, reduce pesticide use in both city and agricultural areas, and invite are committed to. Citizens to engage in activities.
Some of the commitments of the municipalities in the agreement are:
- Sign a cooperation agreement between civil organizations and government entities to raise awareness of the decline in migratory populations of the monarch butterfly and the need to protect its habitat.
- Carrying out communication campaigns and dissemination to encourage citizens to create gardens with native plants in their homes or neighbourhoods.
- Install signs (advertising, signs, panoramic, murals, etc.) at significant locations where the monarch butterfly migrates within the municipality.
- Publish and disseminate list of selected tree species and native nectar producing plants for plantation and gardens in the municipality.
- Support the efforts of citizen science groups in monitoring the health and migration of the monarch butterfly.
- Organize or support a monarch butterfly festival.
- Implement a demonstrative pollinator garden in the main park of the municipality or in another representative location.
- Convening and training the personnel in charge of green areas in the planned and correct implementation of the selection and use of local nectar-producing plants, as well as pruning and cleaning in urban gardens with appropriate tools and techniques.
- Development of municipal projects for the care and management of exotic plant species.
- Integrate conservation of the migratory phenomenon of the monarch butterfly within policies or municipal plans.
- Promote pest control practices that do not harm pollinators in agricultural areas and urban areas of the municipality.
- Encourage the establishment of sites that serve as resting and/or feeding sites for the monarch butterfly as municipal protected areas or voluntarily designated areas for biodiversity protection and restoration.
- Promote the conservation of trees or shrubs used by the monarch butterfly to rest by decreeing symbolic trees or shrubs.
The signatory mayors reiterated their commitment to cooperate with the State in promoting the conservation of the monarch’s migratory route, recognizing its relevance in both the tourism and environmental sectors.
Officials from Acambaro, Apaceo el Grande, Atarji, Celaya, Corono, Querémaro, Comonfort, Jarecuaro, León, Manuel Doblado, Morolón, Ocampo, Salamanca, Purisima del Rincón, San Francisco del Rincón, San José Iturbide participated. , Santa Catarina, Silao, Tarandakuao, Tierra Blanca, Uringato, Valle de Santiago, Victoria, Villagran and Urreria.
State Government through SMAOT developed mobile application ‘My Monarch’ Designed to capture sightings and record the route taken during its migratory route.
The community of fans and scientists who love the monarch butterfly is strengthened through the mobile application ‘My Monarch’. In this, observations and quality data are recorded and shared for research by scientists to better understand and conserve this species.
Part of the information it provides is the butterfly cycle, through photographs and information on hibernation sites, routes, characteristics, its similarities with other species, cultural significance, and migratory occurrence. Available for iOS and Android here: https://bit.ly/42SsVug
migration of monarch butterfly
The fourth generation is the one that migrates, named ‘Methuselah’. There are two migrations simultaneously, one from the east and the other from the west.
Eastern migration includes butterflies that breed in southern Canada and the United States east of the Rocky Mountains. These butterflies travel to overwintering sites in the states of Michoacán and Estado de México in central Mexico. The same individuals who arrived in Mexico (the Methuselah generation) make the return trip to the United States in early spring. This migration covers over 90% of the North American monarch butterfly population.
The western migration includes butterflies that breed from southern Canada and a portion of the United States west of the Rocky Mountains. These butterflies travel to various overwintering sites scattered along the California coast. The same individuals that reach California begin their return journey north in early spring. This migration covers less than 10% of the North American monarch butterfly population.
There is evidence that some butterflies may change routes and move from west to central Mexico to overwintering sites. The migratory generation lives between 8 and 9 months, while the other generations live for about a month.
In addition to migratory populations, there are also Monarch populations that do not migrate. They are located in southern Florida and throughout the Mexican Republic. The monarch butterfly has also been introduced to Australia, Hawaii, and other countries.
In the state of Guanajuato, it can be seen in 46 municipalities, but mainly in the eastern, southern and southern municipalities of the state such as: San Diego de la Union, San Luis de la Paz, San José Iturbide, Apseo el Grande , Apseo el Alto , Tarimoro, Acambaro, Jarecuaro and Tarandakuao.
