For a week in January, Cindy Robertson, Chair of the Hooksett Conservation Commission, traveled to Mexico for the great Monarch Butterfly migration. Tens of millions of butterflies travel from Canada to Mexico during the fall where they spend the winter. In the spring, the butterflies make their way back north to various destinations, including New England and Canada.
Cindy had the opportunity to visit two monarch butterfly sanctuaries in the Sierra Madre mountain range, about four hours northwest of Mexico City, in the butterfly sanctuaries of El Rosario and Chincua, Anganguao. Traveling by open truck, horse, and hiking up to 11,000 feet, Cindy had the unique opportunity to view millions of butterflies, both in a “quiet, sleeping state” hanging from the branches of the oyamel fir tree and flying by the thousands when the sun warmed their wings.
“The sight was incredible. Mexico has done an amazing job of protecting these beautiful insects and yet allowing the public to view them in their natural habitat. The entire experience was breathtaking,” said Cindy.
Last fall, the Hooksett Riverwalk Trail was designated as a Monarch Waystation because of the fields of milkweed located on the 126 acres of conservation property. Such waystations provide protection and nourishment for the butterflies at the caterpillar stage.
The butterflies’ final migration destination in Mexico was only discovered in 1975 after many years of searching and tagging the delicate butterflies to follow their migration. A tagging project is available to anyone interested in tracking the monarchs that land in Hooksett for feeding and breeding. Check out Monarch Watch if you are interested in participating in this program.
As you walk the trails this year, look for the beautiful monarchs and wish them well on their long journey.
— Cindy Robertson, Conservation Commission Chair
HOOKSETT CONSERVATION COMMISSION 