Monarchs & Milkweed - Yosemite Nature Notes - Episode 24

Butterflies are found on every continent but Antarctica; the U.S. is home to about 700 different species. 

While exploring the beautiful places and spaces of Yosemite National Park, I noticed milkweed plants growing by the hundreds in the larger open areas. While I was taking pictures of them I began to wonder, if possibly, this magical place was a stop on the Monarchs migration route from Wisconsin to Mexico.  Could it be that all of the butterflies that my students and I have bidden "adios" to over all these years were spending time in this place that I now feel spiritually so connected to? 
Through my research, this is what I have found out.

If a monarch lives in the Eastern states(east of the Rocky Mountains), it will migrate to Mexico and hibernate in Oyamel trees. Oyamel trees are a species of fir, native to the mountains of central and southern Mexico and western Guatemala. The oyamel forest ecosystem is Mexico's most endangered forest-type. Only 2% of the original forest remains. 
The oyamel forest is a relic from a time when the earth was cooler and wetter. As the earth warmed, the forest retreated up the mountainsides to keep the cool, moist climate to which the trees are adapted.

Monarchs appear to be adapted to the same ecological conditions as these trees. The monarchs search for high mountain habitats for the same reason the Oyamel ended up there--it's cool and moist at high elevations when this part of Mexico is parched during the dry season. Many efforts are in the works to conserve and restore these habitats in Mexico. 
If the monarch butterfly lives west of the Rocky Mountains. it will hibernate in and around Pacific Grove, California in Eucalyptus trees. 
The good news is: we saw these trees when we left San Francisco and headed north. Their stripped bark look is hard not to notice. When they line the road, as they do in the Point Reyes area, they are almost mesmerizing. 
The bad news is: I thought they were Sycamore trees and did not ask Dave to pull over and let me get a closer look. I spent the next two driving miles looking up California Sycamore trees. It was a "stop and smell the roses" moment missed... Ahhhh... another reason to return!
   

Every October, thousands of butterflies make a stop in a Pacific Grove eucalyptus grove, the preferred Monarch butterfly habitat, during their migration to warmer places. The butterflies hang in clusters from eucalyptus branches to maintain body temperature. They use each other to keep warm.
There are over 300 overwintering sites from south of Ensenada, Baja California, to north of San Francisco. By mid November, most monarchs have chosen their winter homes and hibernate for several months. 
Female monarchs are the first to leave from overwintering sites. They fly inland to look for early milkweed plants to deposit their eggs.

Monarchs cannot survive without milkweed; their caterpillars only eat milkweed leaves and monarch butterflies need milkweed to lay their eggs. Planting milkweed in our yards and nurturing the wild milkweed along the roads is imperative for the survival of the Monarchs. Much of the roadside milkweed is mowed down by homeowners, farmers or counties. A better idea would be to incorporate it in with some native Wisconsin wildflowers or native grasses, put a "do not mow" sign by it and watch the beauty happen.
I was so excited to finally get some growing in my yard last summer. Here is how I did it; I took a pod from a plant and let it dry out. When the seeds dry out they become those fabulous "wishing seeds" many of us have been chasing and wishing on for years.  When the seeds inside were ready to fly, I took them outside and pushed them into the ground. In the spring I kept careful watch and absolutely witnessed them rise up out of the earth. 
Isn't it wonderful that each of has the power to aid in the continued existence of these beautiful creatures. 
Milkweed can be found along most rural roadsides and is free for the pod picking.  If you cannot find any, please ask me.  
For me, I will be having a "seed stomping" day with my second graders this year in our courtyard at school hoping to start our own patch of "Monarch must haves".