Monarch butterflies wanted

Monarch butterflies wanted

The Moths and Butterflies of New Zealand Trust is calling for monarch butterflies to be mailed to them.

But not living ones – or dead ones for that matter.

These are paper monarchs which children have coloured in and which will be used in an artwork at their birthday celebrations next month.

The Trust was formed ten years ago to ensure that a property which was to be developed in the Far North did not endanger one of the overwintering habitats of the monarch butterfly. Overjoyed at the response that the Trust received in support the Trust has gone on to work on education initiatives with schools and gardeners, promoting an awareness of New Zealand’s moths and butterflies – some of which have never been formally described and others which are on the ‘serious decline’ list.

“Some of these are species that are only found in this country,” said Jacqui Knight, secretary of the Trust. “They add to this country’s rich biodiversity.”

The Trust is marking their anniversary with the launch of the magnificent 3D movie, FLIGHT OF THE BUTTERFLIES.

“I’m not sure if it’s a natural history epic or a detective story,” said Jacqui. “But we join hundreds of millions of real butterflies on an amazing journey to a remote and secret hideaway – and one scientist’s 40 year search to unravel the mystery, where do the monarchs go each autumn in North America.”

Schools and individual families are sending in paper monarch butterflies, brightly coloured orange but in all sorts of media, some with glitter on their wings, and these will go into a huge overwintering cluster to be on display at the premiere of the movie.

The Gala Premiere is taking place on Monday, 29 June, and tickets for this fundraiser are on sale now.

“Among the crowds that who will see this glorious, breath-taking film in subsequent sessions, we hope to attract schools to bring classes along, and funds raised from the premiere will subsidise these later screenings,” said Jacqui. “So the premiere should become a double celebration, we’ll also be helping children become more aware of the wonders of nature.”

ENDS

© Scoop Media