

We’re restoring the butterfly forest
Every year, a miracle takes place in the forests of Michoacán, Mexico. Millions of monarch butterflies fly all the way from Canada—up to 3,000 miles—to reach this sanctuary. It’s one of the most spectacular migrations in nature. They start their journey in the late summer, flying south to spend the winter in these forests, where the temperature and humidity are just right to keep them safe. These butterflies are also an army of pollinators. During their journey, they help plants grow, playing an essential function for the ecosystem they pass through. But this important journey can only happen if their forests in Mexico stay healthy.
The mission
Right now, the butterflies’ winter home—the forests of Michoacán—is in danger. Diseases caused by climate change and unpredictable weather, along with illegal logging, are shrinking their forest. Additionally, the monarchs face challenges along their journey, such as extreme weather and harmful herbicides, threatening their survival. That’s why WWF Mexico is working to protect these magnificent creatures and the forests they depend on.



Since the 1990s, Eduardo Rendón-Salinas and his team at WWF Mexico have been working alongside local communities to protect the monarch butterflies and restore their winter forests. In the past decade, they have helped rebuild 21,000 hectares of this special habitat. Each year, they track the monarchs’ migration, collecting data on how many complete the journey safely. Thanks to Ecosia and the Planet Wild community, we added 360,000 new trees to the monarchs’ forest and funded a full year of critical monitoring work, helping ensure a safer future for these iconic butterflies.
What we achieved
Ideal outcome
Our Partner
Eduardo Rendón-Salinas has dedicated his life to protecting monarch butterflies and their winter forests. Now the head of WWF Mexico’s Monarch Program, Eduardo has worked in the sanctuary region since the 1990s—beginning his journey under the renowned Dr. Lincoln Brower. Through decades of research and conservation efforts, he continues to play a key role in protecting the monarchs and their fragile ecosystem.
Our Partner

Eduardo Rendón-Salinas has dedicated his life to protecting monarch butterflies and their winter forests. Now the head of WWF Mexico’s Monarch Program, Eduardo has worked in the sanctuary region since the 1990s—beginning his journey under the renowned Dr. Lincoln Brower. Through decades of research and conservation efforts, he continues to play a key role in protecting the monarchs and their fragile ecosystem.