La Cruz Habitat Protection Project: Over Three Million Trees Planted In and Around Monarch Butterfly Habitats

La Cruz Habitat Protection Project Inc., a U.S. 501 (c) 3 non profit organization, working in partnership with La Cruz Habitat Protection Project, Mexico , which has planted during the summer of 2007 another 500,000 trees, bringing the total to over 3,000,000 trees planted in and around the Monarch Butterfly Overwintering areas in Michoacan, Mexico. This has been accomplished with the participation of over one thousand local families. This organization has come a long way since 1997, when 7200 seedlings were planted by four indigenous families willing to take a chance and convert their poorly producing corn and oat fields back into what was originally forest. At the same time, the sustainable selective harvesting of the trees helps the indigenous people on the road to becoming economically self-sufficient and less dependent on logging from the mountains.

The monarchs' habitats in Mexico are threatened by rampant illegal logging and climatic changes due to global warming. There was a snow storm in January 2004 resulting in an estimated 10% loss of monarchs in their overwintering habitats. And the illegal logging goes on practically unabated

This is cause for great concern because with the forest canopy being thinned, there is less protection for the monarchs. The sources of water are also being threatened and soil erosion will worsen. LCHPP is dedicated to planting as many trees as possible. Another 500,000 seedlings are being prepared for planting in June and July 2008. You can help save the monarchs and the indigenous people of Michoacan.

For every dollar donated, two trees can be planted. By keeping administration costs down with many volunteering time and energy, and with the involvement of the local people in the planting of the trees, LCHPP has been able to maintain this low cost of 50 cents per tree. You can help by donating to La Cruz Habitat Protection Project, Inc., 404 Victoria Avenue, McAllen, Texas, 78503 or visit the website: http://www.lchpp.org

Part of the proceeds of my book The Spirit of Butterflies: Myth, Magic and Art is donated to LCHPP.

Witness the phenomenon of millions of monarchs in Mexico yourself and help save the butterflies. Part of the proceeds of the Spirit of Butterflies Tour is donated to LCHPP. See Spirit of Butterflies tour page.

La Cruz Habitat Protection Project, Inc. is a non-profit, tax-deductible organization. 85% of all money raised goes directly to planting and maintaining trees near the monarch butterfly sanctuaries.

Jose Luis in Monarch Bio Reserve in Nov. 2003 showing result of illegal logging