Pollinators Without Borders

A Rotary network connecting the people who protect pollinators and monarch butterflies across North America.

The need

Each year monarch butterflies breed across Canada and the United States, then fly thousands of miles to spend the winter in the mountain forests of central Mexico. Their survival depends on milkweed and nectar plants along the whole route and on those few overwintering forests. Pollinators more broadly support about one third of the food we eat. Because the monarch's life crosses borders, its protection has to cross borders too.

The project

Pollinators Without Borders connects organizations and communities to protect monarchs and pollinator habitat across North America, bringing together in one place:

• The leading monarch organizations, including Monarch Joint Venture, Monarch Watch, the Xerces Society, Pollinator Partnership, Journey North, Mission Monarch, the Canadian Wildlife Federation and Mexico's Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve.
• Free plant and habitat resources from U.S., Canadian and Mexican agencies, so any club or school can plant the right native species.
• Ready made Rotary project ideas for clubs.
• Support for Mexico, where the butterflies winter: forest restoration, environmental education, local partnerships and Rotary sister clubs.

Results

• Rotary District 5240's partnership with Monarch Joint Venture has brought eight Rotary clubs, from Cambria to Ventura, into planting pollinator gardens.
• In Michoacán, The Alluvium Project is working with the Rotary Club Monarca Zitácuaro on native tree propagation around the Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve.