SchoolsEstela RomeroFebruary 22, 2021

The buffer areas to Monarchs' Sanctuaries

SchoolsEstela RomeroFebruary 22, 2021

THE VISIT

Dear Friends,

Teachers, students and families living and attending schools around the Monarchs’ Sanctuaries at what they call “The Buffer Area” to the Natural Reserve, have been visited by the Symbolic Migration. We call “Buffer Forest Area” to the surrounding, second-belt forest areas all around the Reserve’s Nucleus where Monarchs’ colonies are located traditionally. Protecting these surrounding forest nucleus in the same way as the core forest spots where Monarchs overwinter is just as important.

This group of teachers, mothers and students are living at the largest village within the buffer area, protecting “El Rosario” Sanctuary’s forests. This very important location we visited today is “La Salud” within which territory the “Río Grande” forest spot and creek where Monarchs settle along prior to their massive departure at the end of the season. This season, Monarchs have now left their traditional spots in “El Rosario” Sanctuary going much further north, NOT coming to settle in this “Río Grande” spot at all. However, preserving such forest areas results VITAL to Monarchs conservation habitat.

Estela opened the presentation of the class with a gratitude message to these families living here at this buffer area for greeting the Symbolic Migration message this season, for receiving their Symbolic Monarchs and for attending the class today.

“We are not very happy that after so many years, we are not fully recognized as a VERY important forest guards and natural area. We ejidatarios to the buffer area guarding our forests as best as possible, so that we protect the nucleus of the forest where Monarchs’ colonies are, would like that regulations on Sanctuaries would be more flexible and that not only families living at the very core surroundings to Sanctuaries are included at every project, at every opportunity, but us buffer area families too,” young teacher Martín in the class stated.

“As you say, Estelita, we are so rich in resources thanks to our Oyamel and other trees in the forest. The creek running here is providing water to a large percentage of the people living in Angangueo town with nearly eleven thousand inhabitants. Thank you for coming and teaching our children what a treasure our forests are. As you say, our children shall grow up and go away someday soon but time will pass by and, when later in their future lives they get tired of working and living away in the city, they will be the new Ejidatario owners inheriting from their parents, fathers or grandfathers. This Ejidatario official title entitles them to ownership of forest areas, where there is vast richness we are mentioning here in class. Monarch butterflies shall continue to enrich its value,” teacher Juanita added.

Off the class went, reviewing and discussing every topic on trees, their benefits and the privilege to live in this region. A couple very young mothers in their 16’s, and our three young teachers, read, coordinated and encouraged our students in this wonderful group today to reflect and participate reading, pointing, and commenting to each other about the marvel of having our legendary forests and the many, many benefits we receive from our trees! Of course buffer areas’ inhabitants are determinant for the conservation of the Reserve Nucleus where Monarchs colonies settle every season here in Central México!

Students from this important village, “La Salud,” received their symbolic Monarchs observing all kinds of colors, shapes, patterns, and combinations. They were amazed to see designs such as this one in close-up coming from Milkweed Meadows Farm in North Carolina, whose wings were designed with chocolate and cocoa and milkweed flakes, and the antennae with the vanilla beans!.

“Shall our friends in the North wish to come to México and visit us? Did our Symbolic Monarchs take a flight in a plane to come to our country just as we would do if we wanted to visit them in the north when they are breeding?”