The Monarch Butterfly Migration: Its Rise and Fall

Summary

Each fall, millions of monarch butterflies migrate from Canada to Mexico. The monarch migration is a demonstration of nature's ingenuity, but the delicate creatures face many perils, and the number of migrating monarchs is declining sharply. This book weaves natural history, science, and personal experience to explore the rise and fall of one of nature's most spectacular phenomena.

While monarch butterflies have been migrating for centuries, they seized public attention in 1976 when a National Geographic magazine cover story featured the "discovery" of their roosting sites in Mexico. The revelations put a spotlight on the insects and inspired the creation of butterfly sanctuaries in Mexico as well as efforts to protect them. Almost forty years later, many believe that monarch butterflies are in danger of extinction. Journalist and butterfly advocate Monika Maeckle delves into the rich history and current plight of the monarch butterfly. Maeckle offers unique insights on the butterflies as well as a nuanced portrait of the community of scientists, enthusiasts, and "flutterati" who have emerged to support the monarchs.

The Monarch Butterfly Migration focuses a wider lens on the effects of climate change and the tensions between advocacy and scientific accuracy. This book reminds us to notice the natural wonders in our own backyards.