Surround yourself with insects at the Mariposa Monarca Biosphere Reserve.
The Mariposa Monarca Biosphere Reserve is a 139,019-acre biosphere located in Michoacán, a Mexican state approximately 62 miles west of Mexico City, or two hours by car. Comprised of 217 square miles of forest, the UNESCO World Heritage Site attracts up to a billion monarch butterflies each year from breeding grounds across North America, establishing a notably unique concentration of orange and black insects that fill the skies for months.
Butterflies in the Mariposa Monarca Biosphere Reserve. Facebook: Fred ResovichWith streams, a cool temperature and quiet atmosphere, the reserve provides a comfortable environment that allows the butterflies to rest from November to the spring after an approximately three-month-long migration.
The insects take shelter in the pine, oak and oyamel trees of the forest, and although they may resemble dry leaves while sleeping in clusters, the monarchs eventually create a breathtaking scene while flying through the woodland, producing a rain-like sound with the flapping of their wings. As the action is part of the butterflies’ mating ritual, the event is a noteworthy display of a natural process as well.
Each year, the insects gather in such large quantities they bend the branches of the trees on which they rest. While the sagging is not a significant threat to the forest’s health, the act of illegal logging, which puts pressure on the monarchs’ wintering habitat, has become a notable threat for the area.
What’s more, consequences of increased public awareness of the region include pollution of the streams and a larger presence of trash. Although little evidence indicates the butterflies’ population is declining, adopting an environmentally considerate mindset may promote the health of the reserve in its entirety.
Several organizations have been founded to advocate for sustainable forestry processes, forest conservation and reforestation, as well as reliable ways for the inhabitants of the communally owned ejido lands, who have used the area for resources for generations, to earn money.
Monarch butterflies. Facebook: හදගැස්ම_Heart BeatFor example, Forests for Monarchs, a non-profit group, has promoted the planting and management of forests in Michoacán, and Alternare, which also operates as a non-profit, has attempted to assist inhabitants of the area in identifying sustainable alternatives to logging in the region.
Since the public can greatly impact the reserve as well, UNESCO suggests management directs its attention to attaining viable use of the land by visitors, which can be achieved by supporting beneficial processes for local communities to reinforce assistance for the conservation of the forest.
Visitors to the area can also ensure the health of it. Travel + Leisure writes one should remain at least 160 feet away from the trees that shelter the insects and steer clear of resting and flying monarchs. It also states one should remain silent, stay on designated paths and refrain from using flash photography.
While the Mariposa Monarca Biosphere Reserve is a unique and alluring site in which travelers can revel, it is also a delicate habitat that can benefit from environmentally conscious use. With the application of respectful behavior to the region’s insectile and human residents, it is possible the territory remains a captivating representation of natural beauty for as long as the butterflies continue to migrate there.
