Fun with GIS 310: Monarch Miracles
As a "country kid," I was surrounded by miracles. One was the annual appearance and life pattern of Monarch butterflies. My older brothers sought out just the right milkweed plants and brought them home to watch a little speck become a miniature animated kite that flew off into the world in just a few weeks. Years later, I was captivated by the migration … and then alarmed by the dangers these tiny, fragile wanderers face.
In a world besieged by daily reminders of existential threats, it is important to note marvels; they restore delight, wonder, and especially hope. Adults overseeing young learners need to pay enough attention to the miraculous to parry the depressing. When people discover a treasure and come to cherish it, they will more willingly work on its behalf, even if only in little ways. Recognizing and acknowledging the miraculous is the first essential step -- a sine qua non -- for protecting it.
Journey North is a program that tracks migrations and seasons. Phenology, visible change over space and time, citizen science, the internet, and maps come together to let learners and admirers of all ages collaborate on documenting or even just viewing the wondrous around us. A special opportunity approaches: The International Monarch Monitoring Blitz is July 29 - August 7. Old and young alike can seek out these extraordinary butterflies (or other delights), share sightings, and inspect the maps. Join the process!
{Photo courtesy of Chris Bremer}