A. NEEDS: Environmental & Educational

Q1. What does the Program have to do with the Monarch butterfly?

A:  It is all about school children in the U.S. and Mexico getting involved to help solve a major threat to the migratory pattern of the Monarch butterfly related to the loss of its native habitat. The Program also tries to address a need at American schools to inspire interest in science, especially life sciences, by providing opportunities for direct contact with the natural world.

Q2. What is the threat here in the U.S.?

A: In the U.S. the 'flyway' habitat of the Monarch butterfly from the Rio Grande to Canada is rapidly disappearing, as milkweed is being eradicated by farmers using Roundup and other strong herbicides on the genetically modified (G.M.) crops they are planting. This is a pronounced phenomenon of the past 10 years or so. Milkweed is the Monarch's "host plant", meaning it is the only one on which it lays its eggs. Monarch larvae will eat no other plant. No milkweed, no Monarch butterflies.

Q3. And what's the problem in Mexico?

A: Almost half of the forest where the Monarchs spend the winter months (early November to mid-March) in central Mexico has been illegally logged. Although the forest is designated a "biosphere reserve" by the Mexican Government and recognized as a "World Heritage Site" by UNESCO, the logging continues.

Yes, the Monarch is a tropical butterfly that cannot withstand freezing temperatures. By November, almost all of the Monarch east of the Rocky Mountains have flown down to central Mexico , where they spend the winter in the same small patches of forest called "sanctuaries".  where their great-grandparents were the year before. No one really understands exactly how they find their way to the same forest.

B. PROGRAM OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES.

Q4. What are the objectives of the Program?

A: The Program has three interrelated objectives:

1. Habitat restoration. With the support of Rotarians and others, we help find funding for hands-on projects that school children can do to help restore the Monarch's habitat in the U.S. and Mexico, which provide valuable learning-by-doing opportunities with their parents and communities.

2. Science education. The native butterfly garden (or in Mexico, the replanted forest) becomes an outdoor classroom, where curiosity about the natural world can be stimulated. We

3.      Cultural Exchange. The sister schools relationship between U.S. and Mexican schools results in a dynamic cultural exchange, based on not only correspondence between schools but also a shared project.

Q5. How does the Program involve school children in addressing these habitat problems?

A: In the U.S. the Program helps students plant a native 'Monarch Garden' in their schoolyard restoring milkweed and native nectar-producing plants to the local landscape, for habitat restoration.

In Mexico, our Mexican partners help children there raise tree saplings to replant areas of the winter forest sanctuaries where the Monarch butterflies spend the winter.

Q6. How does the Program help teachers to teach and children to learn?

A: Under pressure from No Child Left Behind, children tend to be "taught to the test".  The Program provides students with hands-on projects and lesson plans that involve contacts with nature and activities that stimulate their interest in world around them and science.

Q7. How specifically does the Program help a U.S. school to create a 'Monarch Garden'?

A: Our Chief Botanist and Garden Designer assist each step of the way: garden site evaluation; garden design; sourcing of native plants; supervision of planting; maintenance guidance and training.

Q8. Do U.S. and Mexican schools work together as the Program's name suggests?

A: Yes, U.S. and Mexican sister schools become not only correspondents (pen pals) but also partners to carry out a reforestation project within the 'Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve'. We will work with the schools and their communities to create tree nurseries and replant areas of community lands that have been logged within the Biosphere Reserve (which continues to be 97% privately owned).

Q9. Who helps you with the schools in Mexico?

A: We are partnering with two Mexican nonprofit organizations that already work with the indigenous communities and their schools :  Alternare and Biocenosis. Two Rotary Clubs have also offered to help us.

Q10. How does a U.S. school adopt or partner with a Mexican school?

A: Once we know of a school's interest, we share photos of the classes at the Mexican school and ascertain the interest of the U.S. school in helping the Mexican school, initially with some educational materials and later through a joint reforestation project. The process is relatively easy but does require the U.S. school to find the funds to help its Mexican partner do activities that mirror the ones done at the U.S. schools.

C. ROTARY SUPPORT

Q11.  Where do Rotary Clubs fit in this picture?

A: Rotary Clubs in both the U.S. and Mexico have begun to sponsor the participation of local schools in the Program and, accordingly, help cover the costs of activities, including the  planting of a garden and the adoption of a sister school in Mexico.

Q12. How many Rotary Clubs are currently sponsoring schools?

ROTARY - USA. To date, three Rotary Clubs in the Washington/Baltimore area have stepped forward to support the participation of schools in the Monarch Sister Schools Program, namely: the RC of Washington, DC; the RC of College Park (MD); and the RC of Baltimore City (MD).

ROTARY - MEXICO. Past RI President Frank Devlyn was quick to grasp the potential of the Monarch Sister Schools Program and put the Program Director in touch with two Rotary Clubs in Mexico that are currently helping us with activities at sister schools in the State of Mexico.

Q13: How does a U.S. Rotary Club get involved and sponsor a school?

It's easy. A Rotary Club selects a local school of its preference. Then, a MSSP staff member goes with a Club representative to discuss the Program with the school's principal and teachers. Most immediately grasp the value of the Program. The first-year plan usually includes the planting, expansion or renewal of a native butterfly garden. Just as important as a Club help in covering the garden costs is their volunteering to prepare the garden site for planting by the students. This collaboration leads to a close relationship with the school and PTA.

Q 14.How much does it cost?

School enrollment the first year costs just $175, which includes curriculum materials and permits the school's teachers to attend the "Introductory Workshop". Most schools opt to plant a community-based native butterfly garden during their first year. A small starter garden can cost as little as $1,000. If more funds are available a large garden can be planted.

Q15. Are there other benefits that accrue to a sponsoring Rotary Club?

Rotary Clubs that decide to become a sponsor of a local school generally develop a stronger connection with the community through the school's PTA. Parent leaders are an attractive pool of adults from which to recruit new Rotarians in their thirties and forties.

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