Jordi Honey-Rosés, WWF butterfly protector, answers questions | Grist | InterActivist

Questions from Grist editors | Questions from readers

What do you feel are some of the key elements that individuals and organizations must consider when developing strategies that will both preserve and protect the monarch butterfly, the forests and benefit the landowners and citizens of Mexico? -- Don Davis, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

This is a very good question that gets at the heart of the challenge faced by conservationists in Mexico working to protect the monarch butterfly. From what I have experienced, the most important element that conservationists must consider when developing "sustainable development" strategies for the monarch butterfly area is interinstitutional collaboration.

Every year significant sums of financial resources are invested in the area. So it seems to me that more money is really not the answer. That is not to say that there aren't plenty of worthy projects needing funding since there certainly are many well-run yet underfunded projects, but there is also lots of money being invested in less-useful projects. The combined sum of financial resources from governments, nongovernmental groups, researchers, etc. should be enough to make a major impact with a little more planning and coordination.

A recent initiative called the Monarch Butterfly Regional Forum is trying to tackle the issue of interinstitutional coordination. It is an ambitious undertaking, but the results could be long term. So far, government agencies and other groups are on board to improve the way they work in the area, so it is showing some promise. The second annual forum will be held Feb. 21 and 22 in Michoacán, Mexico.

How do you balance the pressures between economic growth (to support coffee farmers, cattle ranchers, and other industries) and conservation efforts? Is it hard to convince workers (who are struggling to buy daily necessities) that butterflies are important? -- Name not provided

Economic growth or locally wealthy populations will not necessarily lead to the improved protection of biodiversity. On the other hand, if future generations live among deforested hilltops, eroded landscapes, and above dry aquifers, they certainly will be poorer. WWF works with local farmers who understand the value of the natural resources they harbor and who come to us for help to protect this natural heritage.

Based on my limited experience, those who benefit most from resource extraction are usually not the local people, but external interests that add value to what they are extracting. In the case of where I work, these are timber products. Locals would benefit if they controlled the extraction process sustainably to ensure a long-term income.

I am always very skeptical of those who promise greater things to come with economic development at the expense of our natural environment. Remember, money can't buy rainfall or bring back an extinct species. And there are plenty of examples where coastlines have been developed, habitat has been destroyed, and the local people still live under great hardship. Acapulco is a great example. Tourism has generated millions of dollars since the 1950s and yet the local people are still poor. It makes you wonder where all the profits are going and at what cost to the local environment.

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Do you think conservation and development go hand-in-hand or are they mutually exclusive? -- Lindsay Mackenzie, Hamilton, N.Y.

They are definitely not mutually exclusive, and ideally they would go together. However, for the most part, development is usually given priority over conservation and environmental issues.

What effect will tourism have on the monarch's overwintering colonies? For the survival of both the monarch and the ejidatarios [rural villagers or farmers], I wonder if an eco-tourism solution is sustainable. -- S. Kronquest, Savannah, Ga.

While tourism is not the ultimate panacea, it definitely can help. As you probably know, many ejidatarios now depend on the income from tourism. The downside of tourism is erosion of the trails caused by too much traffic in the forest by humans and horses or the possible moving of the colonies due to human presence throughout the season. Still, it is uncertain how much visitors affect the colonies. The largest colonies are visited by tourists and yet have remained large, even after being opened to guests.

Another issue is the distribution of tourism income. There are 83 ejidos, indigenous communities or private properties, located within the 140,000-acre protected area. And yet only four of the 83 have a colony open to tourism, and at best eight receive any tourism income. Not only that, but many of the ejidos and indigenous communities that do not have monarch butterflies are the most conservation-minded, even if they don't benefit as much from their conservation work.

I have heard that the butterfly population is decreasing -- is this true? -- Adele Kushner, Alto, Ga.

This year WWF has taken on more responsibility than ever before to monitor the monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus) colonies at their overwintering sites in Mexico. The monitoring in Mexico is important because the entire eastern population of North America concentrates into a few acres during the winter months, making their stay here the best opportunity to measure the butterfly populations. Soon WWF will be releasing the results of the data from the 2004-05 overwintering season and post it on our website. We have also posted press releases concerning freeze-related mortality from 2002 and 2003. More data is available on the Journey North and Monarch Watch websites.

I'm leading a group of 13 people down to the El Rosario, Chincua, and Piedra Herrada Butterfly sanctuaries this February. My group will be with a professional tour company, but it would be great to get your advice for tourists there to see the monarchs. I want our presence to help the local conservation efforts, not hinder them. -- David Mizejewski, Arlington, Va.

Just going to visit the colonies is a great way to help the conservation efforts. If you want a T-shirt for a souvenir, I would highly recommend buying the "Chincua" brand, sold at the entrance of the Chincua colony. These T-shirts are made by youth from the ejidos of El Calabozo and Chincua. It is the closest thing to fair trade in the area and is a good alternative to buying the more commercial products manufactured elsewhere or abroad. The baskets woven with pine needles are also wonderful and locally made. They make them in the indigenous communities of Francisco Serrato and Donaciano Ojeda.

Chances are good that your guide will be Astrid Frisch, who is excellent and has many years' experience taking groups there. If you are interested in learning more about the conservation aspects of the area, you are welcome to visit our Zitácuaro office at:

WWF Oficina Zitácuaro
Tercera Privada de Hidalgo Oriente 9
Col. Héroes Ferrocarrileros
Zitácuaro, Michoacán, 61506
Tel: +52(715) 15 34 503

Do you know any bushes or flowers I could plant in my backyard that would attract butterflies? -- Faith Goodwin, Parish, N.Y.

Monarch butterflies lay their eggs on milkweed plants. These milkweeds are increasingly being torn up as weeds or killed with pesticides. There are excellent websites that can tell you more about monarch butterfly biology -- Monarch Watch, Monarchs in the Classroom, and Journey North.

Going from European marketing to Mexican conservation organizations is quite a jump. What company or organization did you initially make contact with to find your job? -- Elizabeth Layman, Texarkana, Ark.

The position at Nabisco was an internship during college so I was fortunate to realize early on that I wanted a career in something that would be personally fulfilling. Later I volunteered with Rainforest Action Network in San Francisco and Intermón-Oxfam in Barcelona.

Can you describe your experiences living abroad and learning about how the rest of the world views the United States? -- Name not provided

While everyone's experience is probably different, I have found that it is an unpleasant time to be an American abroad. See Thomas Friedman's recent piece from the New York Times, "An American in Paris."

How has your interdisciplinary background helped you succeed in your current endeavors? Any advice on how eager environmentalists can take whatever background they have and apply it to the movement? -- Name not provided

Every discipline has something to contribute to environmentalism. While the conservation of biodiversity is mostly filled with ecologists or biologists, it doesn't mean that there isn't room for others. The most important interdisciplinary skill is to be critical and analytical. My writing and language skills have also been very valuable.

Have you had any luck working with your "outlaw" friend? Are you suggesting that the environmental groups might accomplish more trying to work with what is considered the opposition? -- Jerry Broadbent, Bucoda, Wash.

In this particular case no real progress was made during his term as community leader. It would be hard for me to generalize about working with groups that are engaged in environmentally destructive activities. Still, I'd say that much can be accomplished through negotiations as long as you stick to your core principles and don't take their money.

What's the origin of your name? -- Name not provided

It is a coincidence, really. My father is of Irish-Scotch origin. They must have been bee keepers. And my mother is from the northeastern region of Spain called Catalonia, giving me Rosés. Contrary to popular belief, I am not an aspiring poet or long-haired hippie.

Questions from Grist editors | Questions from readers

A Bouquet of Honey-Rosés

Butterfly protector Jordi Honey-Rosés answers readers' questions