Milkweed, the monarch butterfly’s most sought-after plant for feeding and laying their eggs, is only just starting to sprout in our area, Ottawa, the nation’s capital.  Sprouts are just starting to get leaves, so we were not anticipating any monarchs for at least a week yet.

Finally yesterday, just south of Ottawa, we spotted our first monarchs of the season.  There was one male and one female, bright orange and quite small, indicating that they were born on the return migration of the sanctuaries in Mexico.

Our last day at the monarch sanctuaries this season was March 9^th.  Compared to only two days prior there were significantly less monarchs; it was evident that some of the colonies were starting their return voyage.  Despite apparently unseasonal weather patterns, eleven weeks have passed and their migration is coming to an end.

The monarchs we saw yesterday have never been to Mexico’s sanctuaries, nor will they migrate there this fall.  Yet, in only a few short generations they will make their way south, likely crossing into the US near Point Peele, Ontario and then into Mexico through Eagle Pass or maybe McAllen, Texas.

If you haven’t experienced this incredible natural phenomenon with us yet, don’t hesitate!  We have a number of planned tours already for the 2011 season, but they are filling up fast.  If you have a date in mind that you would like to travel, contact us for availability.

See the full AP article here.

Our guests spend time with the Colola Beach program where it is estimated that 70% of the world’s black sea turtles originate.  During our time with them we will release in excess of 900 hatchlings and collect an additional 800 to 1,200 eggs.  The people at Colola Beach dedicate 100% of their time to the sea turtle effort throughout the year and are truly making a difference to populations.  The University of Michoacan calculates nesting rates to be up as much as 30% over the past 20 years!

You can join us as we help in their efforts on our  Sea Turtle Migration Tour.

We are very excited about this new five-day tour.  Travel with us through the scenic Mexican mountainside as we visit Sierra Chincua, Cerro Pelon and Piedra Herrada monarch sanctuaries.  A great addition to our tours is time spent in Valle de Bravo - with incredible shopping and restaurants, beautiful traditional architecture and a scenic lake, it is definitely worth some time.

With pick-up and drop-off in Mexico City, the monarch sanctuaries are more accessible than ever!

Click here for all the details or contact us to book now!

Take a look at the full tour details here.

The end of February is always the best time of year to experience the monarch sanctuaries!  As always, space is limited for this tour.  Contact us to book or call 1 (866) 762-2627.

This article is translated from here.

Morelia, Mich .- Rep. Roberto Arriaga Colin (PT), notes for a review of current status of the Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve Decree, in order to include in the forests outside the Protected Natural Area.

The current climate change would be in danger of extinction in the monarch butterfly in the next 15 years.

The proposal is based, detailing the deputy, that the current climate change would be in danger of extinction in the monarch butterfly in the next 15 years or in the best scenario would be a considerable decline of its population, according to a study by researchers at the Faculty of Biology at the National Autonomous University of Mexico in 2008.

He said that the migration of the monarch has been studied since 1937 by Canadian researchers at the University of Toronto and in 1975 he found the first colony on the boundaries of the State of Michoacan and Mexico. Later, in the course of 20 years has been ordered three times the area of the Biosphere Reserve.

In this respect, the legislator recalled the initial decree in 1980, which declared the area as Area Reserve and Wildlife Refuge, the second was in 1986, naming the Special Reserve of the Monarch Butterfly Biosphere.

Finally, in 1997 agreed to start a process of redefining the basis for new biological investigations carried out, so that in 2000 were declared as Reserve of the Monarch Butterfly Biosphere 56.256 hectares.

He noted that in order to provide accurate tracking of the new decree, in 2001 developed the program management of the reserve in order to take action to prevent environmental degradation, promote clean and sustainable production, and exploration of mechanisms to contribute to social development and combating poverty.

But he said that currently the program is headless, due to the different changes that have taken place in the biosphere, so updating is required to fulfill the expectations raised.

On the other hand, mentioned that in July 2008, the World Heritage Committee announced that the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve located in Michoacán and Mexico State, was added to the list of World Natural Heritage.

However, the National Autonomous University of Mexico recognized that follow the current trends of degradation of their habitat, the butterfly will disappear by the year 2051.

In this regard, researchers at the University of Kansas suggest that to compensate for the loss of milkweeds and wild flowers from the use of herbicides in the United States and Canada, which causes the reproduction of the species is concerned, it is necessary to create, conserve and protect monarch habitat. Also propose to call on the population and authorities to save resources by eliminating unnecessary pruning and use of pesticides.

Arriaga Colin expressed his concern that the past few months represent one of the worst seasons for the area of the monarch in the state, as first cold fronts that hit the country delayed their arrival at the shrine and then the February atypical rains caused them to die million copies and is seriously affecting their habitat.

He noted that currently there are five colonies outside the Monarch Biosphere Reserve, of which two are in the entity (Cerro de San Andrés in Los Azufres and Rio de Parras in Mil Cumbres) and three in the State of Mexico.

Therefore, the legislature will propose to the House, make a call on the Secretary of Environment and Natural Resources, Juan Rafael Elvira Quezada, so that, in coordination with federal, state and municipal, are enacted as a Reserve of the Monarch Butterfly Biosphere forests where the species reaches outside the existing protected natural area.

Similarly, to be carried out cautiously review the decree of expanding the pool of 2000, as well as to update the management plan of the Biosphere, and, finally, to ask the governments of Canada and the United States carrying out conservation programs in the area of reproduction of the monarch.

On this tour guests have a hands-on experience assisting local sea turtle protection organizations to collect turtle eggs, transport them to the hatchery, count and assist with newly hatched baby turtles and finally release baby sea turtles into the Pacific.  Not only is this a rewarding experience, but Rocamar gives a donation to these organization on behalf of each of our guests.

Apart from the unforgettable sea turtle beaches, guests experience an active volcano, boating through mangrove swamps, snorkeling off a small island and pelican sanctuary and one of Mexico’s great artisan centers Tlaquepaque.  This is an ideal trip for families.

Space is limited, book now!

The new site is loaded with new features – up-to-date tour dates, lots of ways to share our tours with your friends and a number of ways to stay connected with us.

Take a look around and send us your feedback!