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Symbolic Monarch Migration

Uniting youth across North America through the exchange of paper butterflies and letters! The Symbolic Monarch Migration mimics the migration of monarch butterflies to Mexico in the autumn and their return North in the spring. Students in the USA and Canada send life-sized paper butterflies in the fall and receive different paper butterflies from the participating groups in the spring plus a letter from a student in Mexico. Students in the USA and Canada also create Ambassador Folders as gifts for students in Mexico.

​Join us for the 30th annual Symbolic Monarch Migration with youth from across North America. Families, home schools, zoos and aquaria, nature centers, libraries, youth groups, and classrooms are welcome to participate.

In fall 2024, over 20,000 youth in the U.S. and Canada created symbolic butterflies and sent them to Mexico for the winter. Students in schools near the Mexican monarch sanctuaries protected the butterflies and sent them north in spring 2025.

These symbolic butterflies build bridges of communication between students in Mexico, the U.S., and Canada. United by the monarch butterfly, children across North America learn authentic lessons of conservation, cooperation, and ambassadorship. Read about the Mexican school visits at https://symbolicmigration.org/.

Language: English (some content in Spanish)

Instructors: Susan Meyers, Estela Romero, MJV Staff

Cost: $20 per each Ambassador Folder (one classroom or group) MUST BE PURCHASED BY OCTOBER 10th!

  • Each $20 registration fee allows you to send one ambassador butterfly (folder), a cluster of life-sized butterflies, one made by each student in your class/ group, and a "Hello Friends/ Hola Amigos" Letter to Mexico. 
  • Please note that registration fees for each Ambassador Folder need to be purchased by Friday, October 10th and postmarked by Friday, October 17th. This ensures they make it to Mexico in time!

These funds will support school visits in Mexico to deliver the butterflies and provide conservation education.

Do you have questions? Reach out to Susan Meyers with Symbolic Migration related questions and Jenna Totz with registration related questions. 

Enroll in Course

Learn more about the Symbolic Migration Process 

In this short video, Susan Meyers will explain he process of creating and mailing your Ambassador Folder. 

What's included in my registration? 

To cover the costs of this important educational project, participants must register ($20) for each Ambassador Folder by October 10, 2025. Your enrollment in this course is your registration. Purchases are made here with credit/debit cards.
The fee covers for our supplies, shipping charges and postage, but most importantly, the school visits in Mexico to deliver the butterflies and provide conservation education.
You must also postmark your Ambassador packet no later than October 17, 2025.

What will I include in my Ambassador Folder?

  1. A cluster of life-sized butterflies, one made by each student in your class/ group [NOTE: A life-sized monarch is less than 4"x4".]
  2. A completed "Hello Friends/ Hola Amigos" Letter
  3. Your Proof of Registration (a copy of the email confirmation of your purchase) is required with each Ambassador Folder.

Ambassador Folder Contents

Ambassador Folder

Cluster of life-sized butterflies

Completed Hello Friends/Hola Amigos letter

Proof of Registration (confirmation email)

Project Timeline

Deadlines to get your monarchs to and from Mexico

By October 10

  • Register for Symbolic Migration

By October 17

  • Introduce Symbolic Migration
  • Create and Mail Ambassador Butterflies

November - March

  • Read about your Ambassador Butterfly in Mexico

April - May

  • Watch your mailbox!
  • Report your monarch arrivals!

Get In Touch

 Do you have questions? Reach out to  symbolic-migration@eealliance.org with Symbolic Migration-related questions and learn@monarchjointventure.org with registration-related questions. 

www.monarchjointventure.org

 

Enroll in Course

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