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California Western Monarch Day is designated Feb 5th. of each year. The CWMD Bill specifically recognizes millions of students & educators and many others who are bringing public awareness to the annual endangered migratory phenomenon of the Western Monarch butterfly; in addition to the need to preserve migration & pollination corridors, preserve , protect and manage the major regular over-wintering habitats of the monarch butterfly.

The Bill is dedicated to participants in annual Monarch butterfly activities, celebrations, planting Milkweed plants ( needed for the Monarch butterflies survival ), assemblies, monarch butterfly science studies ( both the eastern and western monarch butterflies annual migrations have been designated an endangered phenomenon), and who are planting home, inner city, urban & community, public, botanical, parks, Monarch & Garden Assoc., clubs & orgs., hospital & healing & patient and school pollination & butterfly gardens.

Photo below of " The California Western Monarch Day Bill ". The language of the Bill is dedicated to Educators & Students in California and Across the US...

Former California Senator & Ca Secretary of State, Bruce McPherson presents the California Western Monarch Day Bill to Sheila Boone

This "Join The Life Cycle of Community " logo was created to recognize and honor many community groups & orgs." that are helping to support and sponsor school planting of Milkweed plants and pollination & butterfly gardening projects, California Western Monarch Day Celebrations, related activities and field trips to visit over-wintering habitats of the Western Monarch Butterfly.

A Return To The Pioneering Urge To Plant The Seeds of Goodness & Goodwill................

All ages and cultures have engaged in creating delightful life-giving gardens. Planting Milkweed plants to insure the survival of the Monarch butterfly and pollination & butterfly gardens is a beneficial & lasting ecological transformation as many nectar corridors have disappeared. For several decades scientists have been concerned about the decline in pollinators. Bees are dying at an unprecedented rate and are critical issue to crops.

Thank you to each community volunteer, organization, and participant for helping to give a better understanding of how taking care of nature contributes to our own well-being.

Scientists Join Together to Bring Awareness To World Wide Pollinator Decline....PROTECT OUR.. Migrating Pollinators...The Monarch Butterflies, (see photos below )

ANNOUNCEMENT ! US Senate passes a Resolution for NATIONAL POLLINATOR WEEK.... June 24-30, 2007 ( A National Campaign ) especially important to educator's who have Summer & year-around gardening projects and Monarch & Pollination & Butterfly Garden Programs.....

Thank you Images Press & Mike Greenelsh for donations Of the " Free As A Butterfly" Western Monarch Butterfly Awareness & Enviro-Paks to Peggy Metzgar's students; the Paks were designed to enhance and add fun & excitement to Monarch Butterfly Programs.

These Arts & crafts projects were designed and CREATED BY a dedicated " Monarch Butterfly Science " TEACHER, PEGGY METZGAR, who with the help of associated educators, parents, senior citizens, community VOLUNTEERS and STUDENTS at the Lillian Larson Elementary School.......planned an exciting educational, fun filled and a very coordinated " Monarch Hero " theme for their CALIFORNIA WESTERN MONARCH DAY celebration on February 5th.

Students become beautiful Monarch Butterflies shedding their caterpillar costumes

Above.....MS. BOONE ENJOYS A CALIFORNIA WESTERN MONARCH DAY celebration Cake with LILLIAN LARSON students

American pioneer history lessons preceded the class construction ....of the coonskin hats pictured above. The clever use of brown paper bags and the " Monarch Hero " logo with the name of the student was attached to the front of each hat.

A senior volunteer gardener below instructs students on how to plant milkweed seeds & plants for home and school butterfly & pollination gardens. Each students name is placed on a card stick with a" Monarch Hero " tag attached to identify their own milkweed seed container.

Enviro-Pak Cut & paste...Award Certificate, Ms Boone and Johnny Milkweed Seed posters created by Marcia Trimble & Peggy Metzgar

Western Monarch Butterfly Photo held by Sheila Boone & Peggy Metzger's donated to the class by Michael Greenelsh

Copyright photo by Sheila M. Boone Western Monarch Butterfly print suitable for framing see Product Page

Western Monarch Butterflies Pollinating a Passion Flower, Nipomo Ca /06 Morro Bay Power Plant site/07

Monarch Butterfly Photos copyright Boone Productions, Siamak Sehat, Photographer

The Monarch Butterfly is a pollinator. Scientists are concerned about the world-wide decline of pollinators. The science of pollination is an important part of the study of the Monarch butterfly and an exciting introduction to a life interest in the study of science.

Thank you for your efforts in establishing the California Western Monarch Day of February 5 of each year. I know that the students and teachers of California appreciate your hard work and dedication to this cause. The study of the environment through science and other academic areas is a priority for the California Department of Education (CDE).

"The Free As A Butterfly" Western Monarch Butterfly Awareness Program & Enviro- Paks, is an educational out-reach program which is donated and gifted to "Monarch Heroes" who learn about the delicate balance of the earth's environmental resources through the study of the unique life-cycle of the fragile Monarch butterfly. Contact monarchwest@charter.net to help sponsor & donate the Enviro-Paks (includes the Free As A Butterfly Book & Cd first edition by Sheila Boone (while available).

milkweed and nectar plants. To survive Monarch butterflies must " fuel up on nectar ' to prepare for

Donate or GIFT An Educational Fun Filled ENVIRO-PAK.....to your butterfly gardening friends, school & youth group " Monarch Heroes"........

The "Monarch Hero" logo featured on T-shirts, posters and many other items on these pages will help to create an exciting & colorful theme for your Monarch Butterfly Program. The " Monarch Hero" logo is available on the back page of the " The Activity Book", a part of the Enviro-Pak. The Paks include Marcia Trimble's book " Malinda Martha Meets Mariposa ", including the ever popular "Caterpillar Chew- Chew " & Free As A Butterfly Cds (music & lyrics in the Enviro-Pak). Marcia is a former teacher & talented children's book author. Thank you, Marcia and the professional groups of musicians & composers ( David & Carol Harper ) and other production artists that have helped to develop the Paks. The Paks are a privilege to gift & donate to deserving students, teachers and many other groups making a difference for the Monarch butterfly. Click on the Free As A Butterfly News/Product Link information on the Paks and to listen to CD sound bytes.

Marcia's Caterpillar Chew Chew Marcia autographs her book" Malinda Martha Meets Mariposa "

Malinda Martha Meets Mariposa a Book about a back yard Monarch Butterfly Theatrical Production can be enjoyed by all ages. 4th & 5th have enjoyed playing the parts for their CWMD celebration day ! The Script is in the " Activity Book "/Enviro-Pak ........for your own adaptations!

This months suggested feature book... for a " Reading in Your Garden " Program......... or for those who plan a picnic in the park or find a bench in a quiet corner of a garden to read to young children & grand children.......Flower Green.... visually spectacular illustrations featuring "Flower Green " a ballet performer in the garden of dancing flowers....................

Thank you California Legislators & former California Senator & Secretary of State Bruce McPherson........for the Unanimous Passage of the California Western Monarch Day Bill large Monarch butterfly Classroom display by Peggy Metzgar

Ms. Boone pictured above with an Oceano Elementary School student standing in front of the students eastern and western monarch butterfly migration maps they created during their study of the annual migrations on the east and west coast of the United States. They are representative of many monarch butterfly programs in California and across the US which inspired Ms. Boone to submit the California Western Monarch Day Resolution to California Legislative Director, James Jack for the Bill which was introduced by former California Senator & Secretary of State, Bruce McPherson. The Bill passed unanimously.

A Special Note of Appreciation to The Monterey Ridge Elementary School for Western Monarch Butterfly Awareness....

A California " Monarch Butterfly Mascot School " celebrates California Western Monarch Day...

See "MRES home page" ( Monterey Ridge Elementary School, Poway Ca ) ...... see celebration photos and read about Feb 5th and arts & crafts.. click on Students/Resources on their home page. Also, read a newpaper article on- line in the Pomerado News ... "4S School Marks Dedication with a Monarch Butterfly Release " Feb 7 2006.

“ It has been my very special privilege to be invited to experience one of the best and most creative Monarch Butterfly Programs at the Lillian Larson School ( grades 1-8 )... by Teacher, Peggy Metzgar

"she has been teaching the science of Monarch butterflies for over 18 years ". THANK YOU PEGGY for your long-time dedication to Western Monarch Butterfly education & gardening & also to all the parents, teachers & community volunteers who are continuing to support your program !

A Milkweed Leaf Munching Monarch Butterfly Caterpillar Creation by Peggy is worn on her shoulder for the California Western Monarch Day Celebration !

Watch these pages for Western Monarch Butterfly Awareness Community Projects !!! Below Peggy's group of San Miguel students really got the Monarch Butterfly migration message out by painting a Caltrans Van with the "Monarch Hero logo " and their Butterfly & caterpillar art, Literally " Monarchs On The Move " !

Hello, We just got back from planting our gardens at the mission. It was a fantastic experience. The 8th graders went two hours ahead of us and everything was ready. When we got there my kids bud died up with an 8th grader ( Ag class ) They taught the second graders how they prepared the soil and set the drip. They set plants where they were to be planted and helped the younger kids plant each one. When we finished we sat on the grass and had lunch. We are having plaques made for each garden. We even planted some of the Milkweed the kids grew in their little milkweed cartoons !

Hello again, The second grade students, and their families, have been collecting water bottles and aluminum cans since September. We have had donations from parents, aunts grandparents and even a board member. We also have sold Monarch Hero pins to raise money for more milkweed. Not only did we raise enough money to visit the the Monarch grove, we had a wonderful California Western Monarch Day celebration. Our greatest accomplishment was creating two butterfly gardens at the San Miguel Mission. We joined with the eighth grade

AG class to make this possible. These children are real kids for character making a difference in their community and helping the monarch's is

very important to them. the timing is right. Brother Bill, from the mission was gracious and supportive . He is very knowledgeable and helped us a great deal with selecting appropriate plants. We have plans, next year, to plant a third garden at the mission. Once YOU HAVE CARED FOR A MONARCH CATERPILLAR, EXPERIENCED IT EVOLVING THROUGH ITS METAMORPHOSIS, YOU CAN'T HELP BUT WANT TO DO EVERYTHING POSSIBLE TO HELP IT SURVIVE. IT IS AN UNFORGETTABLE EXPERIENCE !

Monarch Heroes Sing " Free As A Butterfly" for Ca Western Monarch Day Celebration & Go National.....Lillian Larson School "Monarch Heroes" & Ms. Sheila Boone were featured in the prestigious DC/ "American Spirit " Magazine in a full page article titled Free AS a Butterfly" A CALIFORNIA CONSERVATIONISTS EFFORTS TO SAVE MONARCH HABITATS below written by Coordinating Publisher, Courtney Yodens.

Lillian Larson Students Proudly wear thE Monarch hero logo on shirts, stickers & name tags as they sing from the heart the patriotic song " free as a butterfly" dURING a California Western Monarch Day school performance.....

Peggy's large " Count Down calendar " to California Western monarch day begins at the start of each school year with informative eastern & western Monarch butterfly migration maps and displays the" Monarch Hero " logo & 5"glossy California Western Monarch Day stickers.

Electronic Monarch Butterfly Teaching Aid & Decoration has moving wings.....students enjoy taking turns plugging it in and singing " " Free As A Butterfly " ( see product page )

The Monarch Hero " logo has been used for the creation of the small student fundraising buttons below to raise the needed $$ for a Western monarch butterfly habitat field trip ( see home page field trip article ) & school butterfly garden projects. Classes also collected pop cans.....

Help sponsor western monarch butterfly awareness by donating and sharing the Paks and special items with other deserving nectar corridor schools.........see donation product page link

A special Thank you to Joe & Priscilla Cruz and all of the " Monarch Heroes ", at the Jim Thorpe School, their sponsors, parents, teachers & volunteers ...shown planting a school Pollination & Butterfly garden (monarch attracting milkweed plants ) at the Jim Thorpe School below....

Left Photo...clearing garden space Right ..completion of planted Butterfly Garden and Awards. Volunteer Priscilla Cruz far right presents a framed copies of the California Western Monarch Day Bill presentation photo of Ms. Boone & Ca Senator Bruce McPherson, Ms. Boone Poster, Free As A Butterfly sticker & Cd & Award certificate.

Below left to right Santa Ana Unified School District, Jim Thorpe Fundamental School Principal, Betty Wagner & Kindergarten teacher, Sherry Spurgeon hold the CWMD Bill presentation photo with Priscilla Cruz.

Sherry & Jim Thorpe students for being nominated as a top 10 school to the Animal Planet Contest which has helped to bring much needed public knowledge of the existence of the Western Monarch Butterflies annual migration; an endangered migratory phenomenon that over-winters for six months of each year in habitats on the West Coast of California. They are a NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL TREASURE...whose numbers have been declining for years. Thank you to Sherry and all of her " Monarch Heroes " Milkweed planting and Pollination & Butterfly Gardening students who care enough to work so hard on Monarch butterfly projects so that the migrating W. Monarch butterflies will continue to exist for all of us.

Hi,

As you know, I raise butterflies. I teach butterfly

science to my Kindergartners and also for the Beckman

Science Institute. 




Recently, the Animal Planet/Discovery Channel had a contest

via the Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom. The 'How do you

R.O.A.R.?' contest was one where ways that children were

helping to make a difference in the lives of animals was

being noted. WELL, guess what? My class is in the FINALS!




If you would be so kind as to log on and vote for us we

would be most grateful. All it takes is a moment of your

time. Simply go to




http://wildkingdom.discoveryeducation.com/index.cfm?pageid=10




and scroll down to Jim Thorpe School and click on the

circle. Type in your email address and click SUBMIT. That's

it!




From May 15 to the 30th the voting is the People's Choice.

Afterwards, scientists and the producers look over the

summary and photos (these I will have available for those

who are interested).




My students are very excited about this whole thing. It

would be quite a boon for our school if we do win.




Thank you, in advance. 

Sherry

Boone & Priscilla Cruz Visit The Norma Gibbs Western Monarch Butterfly Habitat, Huntington Beach, Ca ...

The International Union For Conservation of Nature & Natural Resources designation declaring the Western Monarch Butterfly Migration an " endangered migratory phenomenon " in 1983 is inscribed in these magnificent Monarch butterfly tiles in the photos below at the Norma Gibbs habitat.

left to right Guy Stivers, Landscape Architect, Priscilla Cruz & Jauna Miller, Habitat Manager, Shipley Nature Center

SHIPLEY NATURE CENTER PLANTS SPECIAL NARROW LEAF MILKWEED GARDEN FOR WESTERN MONARCHS

After being educated by Priscilla Cruz regarding the plight of the Western Monarch butterfly, the Friends of Shipley Nature Center became “members” of the crusade to help save their habitat and the butterflies.

We planted a Narrow leaf Milkweed garden on our north Habitat Trail during the California native plant planting season (October - March) in 2006. As if by magic the beautiful Monarchs discovered this garden and all through the late spring, summer and fall we had a most amazing display of the life cycle of the Monarchs.

These beautiful butterflies visited until they had completely “used up” the milkweed by laying their eggs on it, the larvae feeding on the plants until there were no more plants to feed upon. The butterflies even discovered the baby milkweed plants we were trying to grow in our little nursery and laid eggs on those. We considered this a good problem to have.

We made a display of the life cycle by having some larvae in our Interpretive Center building. It was fascinating for all ages of visitors.

As of Spring 2007 our Narrow leaf Milkweed garden is beginning to show the sprouting back of the milkweed plants. As you may know, they go dormant during the winter and it looks as if they have completely died off. We are watching the plants grow with great interest and hope our beautiful Monarchs will again return for their season of regeneration.

Monarch Butterfly Heroes at the Shipley Nature Center celebrate California Western Monarch Day