Monarch Butterfly Population Doubles But Concerns Remain

The Mexico Branch of the World Wildlife Fund released the estimated numbers of Monarch Butterflies found in the Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserves.  You may recall that last year was the lowest total ever recorded, 1.9 hectares (4.7 acres), whereas this year the Monarchs have rebounded and are occupying 4 hectares (9.9 acres).  While that’s certainly good news, this is still the 4th lowest total ever recorded.

If you don’t already have your Milkweed seeds, now might be a good time to start ordering those seeds.  My guess is for most folks across the U.S., it’s still a little early to be planting the seeds, but the southern States might be able to start planting their seeds pretty soon.  The weather here in Houston is absolutely beautiful, with temperatures in the mid 70′s all week.  I may try and plant a few seeds this weekend just to get the ball rolling.  I’m still assessing the impact the cold weather had on my planted Milkweed, but overall I think it looks pretty good.

Last, but not least, I cannot recall if I mentioned it previously, but I was scheduled to visit the Monarch Reserves on February 26-March 5, but the trip was canceled because of the escalating violence in Mexico.  I would love to be able to visit next year if it all possible.

Did/does anyone else have plans to visit the Monarch Sanctuaries this year, or have your trips also been canceled?  I imagine that although the Monarch numbers have increased this year, tourism is having a major decline.

Here’s a couple of links about the Monarch counts, http://www.foxnews.com/world/2011/02/14/butterflies-make-partial-comeback-mexico/, and http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/02/14/us-mexico-butterfly-idUSTRE71D7C520110214.

Related posts:

1. Another Monarch Butterfly Video Review
2. ABC News Picks Up Monarch Population Decline
3. December 2010 Monarch Butterfly Garden Update
4. How To Tag A Monarch Butterfly
5. Monarch Butterfly In Field Of Wildflowers