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Making a Difference: Butterfly Education

It’s no wonder that these mysterious creatures steal the spotlight at their sanctuary in Pacific Grove. Beyond the monarch butterfly’s metamorphic change, they also make quite a journey.

“They look small and delicate but they are actually quiet strong. They’re such small creatures to be able to go thousands and thousand of miles is amazing” says Mary Dainton, a docent for the sanctuary and The Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History.

“What is really amazing is when people walk in here and say, there’s suppose to be monarchs here. I say well come here and look through my scoop and they go wow” says Dainton.

She works to provide education to visitors that is crucial to the species survival. She says, the more people are aware, the more they’ll support activities to save them.

That’s especially important because recent studies suggest monarchs may be threatened. In 20 years, researchers say the population of monarch butterflies has decreased by 90 percent.

“People who volunteer, like Mary does, they really share something their passionate about and don’t ask for anything in return” says Patrick Whitehurst, communications and marking director for the museum.

The museum says the federal government has a year to make a decision on the status of the monarch, but until then, education, from volunteers like Mary Dainton is important to preserving their existence.

“As a species we’re concerned. Like other endangered or threaten species, if we don’t monitor their condition we stand to lose them” says Whitehurst.

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