Book One: A Monarch’s Northbound Odyssey
Several years ago, I began my journey with Monarch Butterflies. Monarch Butterflies are not listed as “endangered”; however, they are “Vulnerable”. I entered into the conservatory state of mind and began assisting the monarch population. Only ten percent (10%) of monarch eggs survive to maturity as a butterfly. By the method of “Rescue, Raise, & Release”, I help improve the odds of maturity and survival.
I utilize habitats to house and feed monarch caterpillars. With regular and thorough searches of my “Butterfly Garden”, I locate monarch eggs and/or caterpillars. Then, with care, I move them into one of the habitats. The habitats are climate-controlled and ventilated, and fresh live milkweed is maintained, as this is the only host plant for monarch butterflies. Once they have emerged or eclosed and have dried, we release them back out into nature to continue on with their lives.
I share most of my experiences and interactions on the website, MonarchButterflyWrangler.com. This venture and adventure are important to me, and I am trying to get as many people interested and involved. This prompted me to write, Rescue, Raise, & Release: Create Your Own Monarch Butterfly Experience. This is an introduction and instructional book to help you start your own journey.
Another idea has come to me to help draw interest to the cause: a Novel. Or better yet, a series of novels told in first person by a monarch butterfly: the birth of Monarch Butterfly Chronicles. Book one is now in print and available. A Monarch’s Northbound Odyssey, Monarch Butterflies migrate to central Mexico and overwinter in the “oyamel fir forests.” Then they return to the United States and begin the cycle of populating the generations of local monarch butterflies to carry on the process of generational population until the next “migratory generation” is born and returns to central Mexico for the winter. This is an amazing life cycle.
