Educational Media Reviews Online

The Monarch butterfly is an intriguing species. There are two populations of Monarchs: the western population lives in California, and over-winters on the coast while the eastern population performs an annual, multi-generation migration. Butterflies leave the oyamel fir forests of Mexico and travel as far north as Canada. The butterflies that return to Mexico in the fall are the great great grandchildren of the butterflies that left the previous spring, yet their homing mechanism is still not fully understood. Monarch: A Butterfly Beyond Borders does an excellent job of describing what we do know about the Monarch and presents a balanced account of the challenges faced by this species.

During the course of this film, the viewer learns about butterfly research techniques, cooperative Monarch research programs, butterfly chemical defense mechanisms and butterfly life cycles (including metamorphosis and migration). Several experts on Monarchs, including Lincoln Brower and Fred Urquhart appear in this film and their informational interviews are interspersed with superb footage of Monarch wintering grounds in Mexico. The program content and technical qualities of this film are excellent and the underlying message is one of habitat conservation.

Some researchers argue that the Monarch thrives in moderately disturbed areas, and to an extent this is true as Monarchs rely on milkweed and other latex producing plants common to disturbed areas. But, as the film also highlights, clearcutting in the ojamel fir forests results in a loss of habitat for Monarchs.

I recommend this film very highly. It would be an excellent addition to any school or public library. The content is appropriate for grades 6 and up and adults will find the film quite educational as well. Monarch: A Butterfly Beyond Boundaries also directs viewers to the web page for Monarch Watch (http://www.monarchwatch.org) which is also an excellent resource on this species.