In all the world, no butterflies migrate like the Monarchs of North America.  Millions and millions of butterflies from the central and eastern Canadian provinces and the eastern and midwestern United States fly in masses south to Mexico each fall. By instinct alone, these Monarchs travel to the same mountains, often to the exact same trees, that their ancestors left the previous spring.  Somehow they find a place in Mexico that they've never seen before.  The Monarch's unique winter habitat is found on only 12 mountaintops located at nearly 10,000 feet in the Transvolcanic mountains of central Mexico.  The remarkable Monarch Butterfly Migration and Mexican State of Michoacán are both included in the book 1,000 Places to See Before You Die by Patricia Schultz.
 
Join Monarchs Across Georgia on a trip to the Monarch overwintering sanctuaries to experience one of the world’s most impressive natural phenomenon and witness millions of butterflies clustered in the trees or cascading to fill the air.  Three separate weeklong trips will be offered in 2009. The dates are:
January 31 – February 7, 2009 (spaces still available)
February 7 - 14, 2009 (spaces still available)
February 14 - 21, 2009  (this week is almost full)

What makes this trip to the Monarch butterfly Mexican overwintering sites unique? The itinerary includes visit to three Monarch colonies. You will also learn about local efforts to promote sustainable and environmentally sound economic activities with visits to Alternare and the tree nursery at La Cruz Habitat Protection Project. Participants will visit at least one school near the Monarch Preserves to donate books that have been purchased through the Monarchs Across Georgia Mexico Book Project. Although the emphasis will be on exploring the natural history of the region, the trip also includes many cultural and culinary delights!

This trip is offered in partnership with Annenberg Media’s Journey North citizen science program.  Journey North engages students, teachers, and other interested individuals in an online global study of wildlife migration and seasonal change. Trip participants will have the opportunity to submit their observations from the Mexican overwintering colonies to Journey North.  (See example report from 2008.)

Five Professional Learning Units (5 PLUs) will also be available for Georgia certified teachers participating in this trip.  Trip activities and topics are correlated to the Georgia Performance Standards (GPS).
 
The registration fee of $1500 per person includes accommodations (double occupancy) for all seven nights, all meals, and all ground transportation.  Airfare is not included.  Applications and deposits are accepted on a first come, first serve basis. A $600 deposit will secure your place.  The balance of the trip fee is due by December 31, 2008.

Complete Details (includes  itinerary, trip registration forms, etc.)

For additional questions, please contact Susan Meyers at smmeyers@gmail.com or 404-388-8228.