Before we cover the good news today, let’s not forget the innocent people who lost their lives at the hands of fanatic Islamists on September 11, 2001- twenty-five years ago. I planned not to run a good news feature on this tragic anniversary, but I feel we should keep focusing on the good news when there is so much bad news in this world.
Today’s good news story comes from Diario AS and was sent to me by Noelle Granger, reporter at large. Thanks, Noelle
Mexico protected more than 1 million monarch butterflies in 1980. Decades later, they’ve created a one-of-a-kind ecosystem
The monarch butterfly’s migration is one of nature’s greatest journeys. Every fall, millions of monarchs travel more than 2,500 miles from southern Canada and the northern United States to spend the winter in the cool oyamel fir forests of central Mexico.
But behind this extraordinary spectacle lies a story of government protection, scientific discovery, and ecological recovery that permanently changed conservation efforts across North America.
After the first federal conservation decrees were issued in 1980 to protect the butterflies’ overwintering grounds, authorities safeguarded forests that host well over one million monarchs. Those protections laid the foundation for a protected ecosystem that now covers more than 139,000 acres.
The 1980 decree that changed everything
For decades, the exact location of the monarch butterflies’ winter colonies in Mexico’s mountains remained known only to local communities. That changed in the mid-1970s, when international researchers working alongside Mexican scientists mapped key overwintering sites in the Sierra Chincua and Cerro Pelón mountains.
In 1980, Mexico’s federal government issued its first presidential conservation decrees to formally protect the forests where enormous monarch colonies gathered each winter. Individual sites often contained well over one million butterflies.
The move helped curb uncontrolled logging in some of the most important habitats and marked the beginning of what would eventually become the Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve. Today, the protected area stretches across municipalities including Zitácuaro, Ocampo and Angangueo in the state of Michoacán, as well as Temascaltepec and San José del Rincón in the State of Mexico.
A UNESCO-recognized sanctuary
Covering 139,000 acres (56,259 hectares), the Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve sits about 60 miles northwest of Mexico City in a mountainous region filled with dense forests. Its varying elevations create a range of microclimates that support numerous native plants and animals found nowhere else.
Every fall, millions — and in some years perhaps as many as a billion — monarch butterflies from across North America gather in small patches of forest within the reserve. Their bright orange wings blanket the trees so completely that entire hillsides appear to change color.
The sheer weight of so many butterflies can even bend tree branches.
When spring arrives, the monarchs begin their remarkable return journey north. Over the next eight months, the migration unfolds across four successive generations as the butterflies spread through the United States and into eastern Canada.
Despite decades of scientific research, one mystery remains unsolved: exactly how each new generation finds its way back to the same forests in central Mexico where its ancestors spent the winter.
The good news is that the Mexican government’s protection has ensured the Monarch’s survival. Today’s JohnKu talks about government action. I hope you have a super weekend.
Regulations by JohnW. Howell © 2026
Government does well,
When it regulates for good . . .
Saving the monarchs.
The west coast Monarchd overwinter in Pacific Grove on the Monterey Peninsula. I have seen that. Haven’t been to Mexico but did read a wonderful novel about someone who was from there. It was called the 🦋 Daughter.
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I’m glad you decided to run one of your good news stories on this day, because you always bring us something hopeful and positive. And Lord knows, we need more of the stuff. Great going Boss.
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Yeah, I figured there would be enough tributes, and besides, we still need to go on, but still in a small way honor those who were killed. Thanks, Pilgrim
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Amen to that my man. Well said.
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😊
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🙂
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A very sad day but great to see you and Noelle have come up with another good news story and I love monarch butterflies and it is great that the Mexican government has made the millions of visitors every year to their ancestral home so protected…. thanks John..hugsx
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Thank you, Sally. The monarch can symbolize rebirth, which we need today. 😊
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We do need good news, so thank you for this, John and Noelle.
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Thank you, Lois. An iffy decision, but I think there is a story in the rebirth of the monarchs as it relates to 9-11. Hope is eternal. 😊
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John, this is a rough day for me. I was and still am touched deeply by the attack on U.S. soil. This tragic event left an indelible memory that will never leave me. And that’s alright.
Mexico has definitely done the right thing regarding the Monarch Butterflies. This “strange” country can certainly do great things.
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I think folks who love their country were deeply affected by the attacks on 9/11. I have the same memories that will not leave me either. Sadly, there is a whole generation that views 9/11 as just a point in history with no personal meaning. Thnaks, Tom.
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John, it’s just life. I respect Pearl Harbor Day, but as you, I don’t have any real ties.
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😊
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It’s impossible not to ponder the Mexican efforts on behalf of the butterflies without thinking of recent U.S. decisions to open many of our protected areas to logging. Resolve and wise decisions can do so much; we should do our best to be sure we have wise decision-makers in place.
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I agree.
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This is such a great story and I remember they were a mystery for a long time. We are still waging war on milkweed in the US, and that is their caterpillar food.
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So true. They have to stay away from farms.
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I’m glad you decided to run this, John. We could all use good news. I’d love to those hillsides change color with the monarchs. Have a great weekend!
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Me too, Teri. Thanks
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Beautiful example of another of Gods mysteries on a sad day of remembrance …l choose the former. Thanks, John🐳
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Thanks, Jim
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On a sad day, you managed to offer a beautiful slice of hope. The magic and beauty of the monarch migration is a story we especially needed today. Thank you very much for this one.
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I needed it too, Monika. Thank you.
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Maybe it’s magnetic waves being followed. Several animals use electromagnetic sensors to find their ways around.
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That is amazing.
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It’s nice to learn the Mexican government is doing such good things for the Monarch butterflies, John. I’m glad you posted it.
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Thanks, Tim. 😄
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You’re welcome, John. 😊
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😊
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It’s nice that good news balances bad today.
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I needed to read about monarchs today. Thanks, Jacqui.
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Something colorful and uplifting for today. We rab caterpillars off our plats, feed them on parsley and have them pupate in a net cage. Then release them!
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Sounds great.
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I sure appreciate this story. Interstate 35 through Iowa is called the Monarch Highway. Once I was amazed by dozens of Monarchs flocking on one side of a tree at my mother’s farmhouse, stopping on their way south.
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That is a sight you don’t see very often.
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A positive news story gives us hope. Thanks, John.
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I think so too, Esther.
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Hi John, It’s nice to read some good news on this tragic day that is etched in our minds.
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Thank you, Lauren.
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I’ve read about the Monarch project and been in awe. Thank you, John, for resurrecting this incredible project — especially on this sacred day. ❤️
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Thank you, Gwen. The monarchs symbolize this day.
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Oh, that is indeed good news, John!
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I agree.
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Beautiful good news and a powerful reminder of what conservation can achieve. Protecting the monarchs shows how thoughtful action can preserve nature for generations. Wonderful story! ❤️
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Thank you, Anowar.
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You’re most welcome 🤗
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Thank you for sharing such a heartwarming piece of good news today, John! The image of millions of monarch wings completely coating the trees and blanketed over whole hillsides is so vivid and magical. It’s wonderful to see how that 1980 protection decree has paid off for over four decades. 🦋✨
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I think it is amazing Prateek. Glad you liked the good news.
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It really is amazing, John! It’s so refreshing to start the weekend with a genuine dose of uplifting news. Thanks as always for bringing such great energy and inspiration to Fridays!
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😊
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It’s fantastic they have such a wonderful place to go to each year. I’m so happy they have created this place for them!
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I am too. This is a good thing.
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this warms my heart – we see so few butterflies these days, that it is wonderful to know they ARE protected and flourishing!
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I agree, Annette. I saw two monarchs this summer, and that was it.
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Thanks for all of your good news posts throughout the year, John. It’s a great reminder that while we should never forget tragedies like 9/11, there are still far more good people in the world than not.
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I think so too, Pete. I always like to hightlight them when I can.
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Thank you for another bit of good news! I have a special place in my heart for Monarch butterflies.
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I do, too, Liz. This story has a lot of hope.
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Fabuluos news, dear John! Though…here is a question is born: why can Mexico do that but my far cold land is so far from protecting the wild nature?😌🍻🍻🍻🍤
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I think you will have to ask Putin. 😊
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I’m so happy to know this.
Perhaps they will come back here? Oh, I still see a few over the summer.
However, 25 years ago, when I moved here, every spring and fall there would be a few days of Monarch butterfly clouds moving overhead. The clouds got smaller each year. One pre covid summer, I did not see 1 Monarch.
This summer I saw maybe 10-15 Monarchs. We planted a milkweed for them about 8 years ago.
I hope the clouds of Monarchs returns.
Hopeful JohnKu, thank you!
👐🏼X 👐🏼X
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Let’s hope there are clouds once more. 😊X
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YES!!!!!! I miss the phenomenon. OX
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🐂 🐂
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꧁ OX ꧂
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Hi John, I do know the story of the monarch butterflies from various bloggers who’ve helped support the programme. It is wonderful undertaking.
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It is wonderful. 😄
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💞
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In Puerto Vallarta, Mexico they have an amazing butterfly sanctuary. The butterflies hang out in PV there for winter. Good news is always welcomed. 😊
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How nice. I know most of Mexico is a destination for monarchs. Must be the margaritas. 😄
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Lol John, that must be it! 😁
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😊
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