Six Million Trees Planted In and Around Monarch Butterfly Habitats
Over the course of fourteen years Maraleen Manos-Jones worked with Jose Luis Alvarez and the Indigenous mountain people to plant 6,000,000 trees in and around the Monarch Butterfly Overwintering areas in Michoacan, Mexico. This has been accomplished with the participation of over one thousand local families.
Not only are the monarchs’ habitats in Mexico threatened by rampant illegal logging and climatic changes due to global warming, there is a general lawlessness by cartels battling one another in the area. Local people are being kidnapped and all businesses are being extorted. Tourism is way down. Who get hurts the most during these terrible times? The poor ones, of course. We will continue to reforest as long as it is possible, because the people and the environment need this now more than ever.
There 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. Jose Luis is dedicated to planting as many trees as possible. His nursery in Mexico can now produce one million trees a year. What is needed are funds to support the nursery, tree distribution, monitoring, and educational efforts. You can help save the monarchs and the indigenous people of Michoacan.
You can contact Jose Luis Alvarez directly: email: joseluisthecruz@yahoo.com or call him U.S. tel number: 510 764 1112
Jose Luis in Monarch Bio Reserve in Nov. 2003 showing result of illegal logging.
Cerro Pelon Monarch Sanctuary
Cerro Pelon Monarch Sanctuary
Cerro Pelon Monarch Sanctuary
