Forest Conservation

Reforestation and forest restoration in the monarch's Mexican overwintering sites and surrounding areas are important for the well being of the local residents and for the monarch butterfly.

Productive reforestation in the buffer zones of the Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve is critical, both for the well-being of the residents and for the monarch butterfly. Reforestation in the lower altitudes engages communities in the stewardship of trees and the planning for their sustainable use. Residents can derive economic benefits by selling harvested timber and producing value-added goods. Additionally, reforestation may help create an interest among residents to develop regional tree nurseries, increase their capacity to propagate and plant seedlings, and establish cooperative priority setting mechanisms.

We support comprehensive reforestation projects that incorporate relevant research to protect the monarch’s overwintering area. Targeted studies could include, for example, micro-climate research, spatial analysis, studies of the fire regime in the forest, monarch monitoring (including their condition, movement, location, and timing), and other conditions required for successful reforestation.

MBF seeks to engage individuals and organizations involved with reforestation to cooperatively assess achievements and to identify additional needs and opportunities. Subsequently, we will promote a collaborative effort to identify the practical priorities for continuing and expanding successful reforestation projects, and will provide grants that support and facilitate projects that will achieve those priorities.