The Remin Chronicles

Like many animals today, the Monarch butterfly is threatened by habitat destruction. If we don't do something, the Monarchs could die out and we might never again see the flash of a beautiful orange and black wing. Two of the main problems confronting the Monarch butterfly are:

• The Monarch depends on Milkweed to reproduce. It lays its eggs only on milkweed plants, and the Monarch caterpillars will only eat milkweed. Unfortunately, milkweed is considered by many to be a weed, and many fields of milkweed are being cut down. Without milkweed, the Monarch will be unable to reproduce and will die out from our world.

• Each year, the Monarch butterflies migrate south in the fall to warmer climates. The eastern Monarch butterflies migrate to Mexico, where they spend the winter roosting in Oyamel trees. This yearly migration is a miracle that even modern scientists don't yet completely understand.

  Unfortunately, the overwintering grounds in Mexico are suffering from deforestation. The Oyamel and Pine trees in the overwintering grounds are being cut down for wood and to clear space for farming. This deforestation threatens the long-term survival of not only the Monarchs, but also the poor farmers living in the area.

What you can do to help

• Plant and nurture milkweed in your garden. The beautiful flowers will attract many other butterflies as well as Monarchs, and if you are lucky, you may be able to personally witness the magic of the Monarch life cycle
• Encourage your state and local government to leave some public areas naturalized, allowing wildflowers to grow. Not only will this help the Monarch and other wildlife, but it will create pleasant areas where people can observe many beautiful flowers, butterflies, and birds.
• Support organizations that work to protect the Monarch and other wildlife. We support the Michoacan Reforestation Fund, an organization working with the local communities to reforest the Monarch overwintering grounds in Mexico. You can read more about the Michoacan Reforestation Fund here. In addition to reforesting the area, they are attempting to create a sustainable forest products industry that will benefit the local communities as well as reducing deforestation

• Buy The Dark Dreamweaver. Beginning February 1, 2005, we will contribute 5% of income from all net sales of the book to the Michoacan Reforestation Fund.