Upcoming Events to Mark the Monarch Butterfly’s Return

Last January, I started reading Bicycling with Butterflies (Dykman, 2021), a story about a ten-thousand-mile bike ride the author took in 2017 to follow the eastern monarch population from Mexico to Canada (and back again!). To describe what was happening around this time of year (between September 27th and October 11th), she wrote,

“The metamorphosing caterpillars–taking cues from the shortening days, cooling temperatures, and aging milkweed–were eclosing in sexual diapause. The monarchs were assembling into a directional stream and flying with purpose. The overwintering generation was heading south.”

Here in Napa County, the seasonal transition between summer and fall brings the return migration of the western monarch population. As the butterflies make their way to their overwintering habitat on the central coast of California, the third or fourth generations lay their final eggs. Young adults stop to fuel up for their flight to the coast. I love it when school garden educators share photos they capture of butterfly visits to their monarch habitats. Here are just a few recent favorites.

If you’ve been following these posts, you know I’ve been Speaking Up for Monarchs all year. Just a few weeks ago, science teacher Julie Lovie invited me to share information about the monarch butterfly with all of the students and teachers at Valley Oak High School. After lunch, the whole school gathered to dedicate their Monarch Waystation, which was planted and registered with Monarch Watch this past June.

In this final talk of the year, I’ll share highlights from Sara Dykman’s bicycle migration, while also sharing actions we can take to protect the monarch butterfly. Some examples will be taken from the work of the Monarch Education Project, which addresses the steep decline of the western monarch butterfly population and amplifies awareness of the monarch’s cultural significance.

In addition to the library talk, we have two more upcoming events this season. On October 4th, we’re hosting a Teacher Workshop at Skyline Park. Teachers from select grade levels can earn a $100 stipend for attending! Then, we’ll share an art project at the Dia de los Muertos celebration next month in downtown Napa. We shared last year’s event in the post, What is Dia de los Muertos and how does it connect to monarch butterflies?

Bicycling with Butterflies is written in diary-like format; the last dated entry is November 21-30. I’ve timed my reading with to coincide with the migratory calendar, so by this time next week, I won’t be finished reading it. Like monarch survival, the ending is largely unknown. Come on October 7th to find out how you can be part of the effort to save this iconic and symbolic species.

Photo Highlights from DoNapa’s First Thursdays Event

**Featured Photo Credit: @vivi.pena.art