On a recent day, curious first graders from Mount Madonna School followed the “Monarch Trail,” an elevated, wooden path at Natural Bridges State Beach in Santa Cruz that leads to a small viewing deck. There, surrounded by a grove of towering eucalyptus trees, their faces turned upward in awe, mesmerized by the abundant clusters of Monarch butterflies holding fast to tree branches and flying all around them.
Courtesy of Mount Madonna School
Their visit was part of their school life science study, bringing classroom lessons alive.
“Mount Madonna first graders are studying native California endangered animals and what we can do to protect them,” said teacher Rochelle Saxton. “There are a couple of butterfly species native to California and categorized as endangered. Some of these are endangered because of habitat destruction and humans consuming more than what they need. As a class, we have been talking about things we can do to help butterflies to thrive.”
The tour of the grove was much anticipated.
“It was a really wonderful day,” said Saxton. “Students learned about the Monarchs’ dwindling population, how they migrate to escape the winter cold in Santa Cruz’s milder climate and what people can do to support conservation efforts.”
Saxon said the Natural Bridges park docent also discussed the important role butterflies play in gardens, the pollination process and why it is important for humans.
“This was really great because we are talking about how our interactions lead to consequences in our environment,” said Saxton. “It really helped students understand the impact their choices have on not only butterflies, but us too!”
The Mount Madonna School program allows for an abundance of off-campus learning journeys each year for all grade levels, preschool through high school, to support and enhance the classroom curriculum.
“There is nothing like walking through a Monarch grove and marveling at the colorful and fragile beauty,” Saxton said. “Seeing their vibrant colors up close and watching how the light touched their wings – it was magical from the students’ perspective. Being in nature and seeing butterflies up close and in person, helps foster students’ curiosity and wonder about the natural world. I’m hoping it will inspire and motive these children to become environmental stewards of the future.”
Monarch Butterfly images by Robert Siegel, MD, Ph.D., Stanford University