Have you ever seen so many beautiful butterflies in one place that they would actually bend the branches on trees? My wife and I did, during our tour in the Foreign Service, when we were posted in Mexico (2006-2007) and visited the famous Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Preserve in Michoacan State. Located in the beautiful oyamel fir forests and mountains of central Mexico, the monarch (Danaus Plexippus) super-butterflies in the Preserve are a sight to behold.
Threatened with rapidly declining populations, these important pollinators need our help to survive, and have been recently entered into the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) “Red List of Threatened Species” as endangered. But first, why the “super-butterfly” accolade? The migration between Mexico and the United States each year is proof enough. As noted by experts:
A migrating monarch can fly up to 2,500 or sometimes even 3,000 total miles before reaching its destination. A monarch can travel over 100 miles in a single day, with the right conditions. These butterflies coast on air currents to move quickly and conserve energy. They often fly at elevations where we can’t even see them from the ground, at 800 to 1,200 feet high. (Source: HERE)
Monarchs are highly sensitive to weather and climate, which affect these migration patterns. Whether you refer to it as “climate change,” or euphemistically as “permanent changes in the weather,” the threat to the Eastern Monarchs has seen populations drop by as much as 88% in the past two decades, according to some scientific reports. Threats to the monarch's food supply and encroachment on their natural habitats further degrade the population.
So, if you want to understand more about these magnificent super-butterflies, then mark your calendars and spread your wings — Sky Meadows State Park in Delaplane, Virginia, is proud to present the Monarchs Rule Exhibit, a spectacular celebration of one of nature’s most iconic pollinators! From August 18 to September 21, 2025, visitors are invited to explore the fascinating life cycle, migration, and especially the conservation efforts surrounding the magnificent monarch butterfly.
Located at 11012 Edmonds Lane, Delaplane, VA 20144, the exhibit will be open daily from 10am to 5pm, and is perfect for families, nature lovers, photographers, and anyone curious about these incredible creatures. Enjoy hands-on displays, guided nature walks, butterfly conservation demonstrations, and fun activities for all ages.
Don't miss this immersive and educational experience in the beautiful setting of Sky Meadows—where learning takes flight! 🦋
Further information is available at: https://www.dcr.virginia.gov/state-parks/event?id=2025-04-28-15-25-30-006648-h5y
Dr. Derrin R. Smith is a retired Foreign Service Officer and co-author of Humanitarians in Hostile Territory (Chicago University Press), now in its tenth printing. He has served in some of the world’s most challenging environments—from Iraq to Lebanon to Africa—and received the Secretary of State Award for Expeditionary Service and honorific 'knighthood' from President Biya of Cameroon. Before entering diplomatic service after the events of 9-11, he was a U.S. Marine, engineer, chief economist, and CEO of a tech firm in Hong Kong. A Life Member of the Association of Former Intelligence Officers (AFIO), he has been three times in Afghanistan and four times in Iraq under various auspices. A National Press Club member since 2007, he now lives in Alexandria, Virginia, where he is proudly outranked at home by a regal Persian Ragdoll cat named Angel.
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