Kingdom of the Monarchs

The monarch butterfly migration to Mexico is at risk, with monarchs now listed as an endangered species. Local communities and WWF are protecting the forests where the butterflies overwinter. Now, we have the opportunity to help preserve monarch habitats here in the U.S.

Each winter, millions of monarch butterflies migrate to the fir forests of Mexico's Central Highlands—watch this visual preview to see what it's like to walk among them, take photos, and listen to the air hum with the vibration of their wings!

Find out how to take amazing pictures of the monarch butterfly migration in Mexico with nature photo expert Court Whelan. Get expert tips and techniques to enhance your photos of these butterflies!

Watch thousands of monarch butterflies gathering in and flying around Mexico's alpine fir forest.

Each autumn, millions of monarch butterflies migrate thousands of miles from Canada and the U.S. to the oyamel fir forests Mexico’s Central Highlands (which we visit on our Kingdom of the Monarchs adventure). Their arrival coincides with Dia de los Muertos, when many believe the butterflies carry the souls of departed loved ones. Expedition Leader Melissa Silva shares how this extraordinary migration intertwines with Mexico’s cultural traditions, melding science and spirituality.

How is climate change reshaping life on Earth, and how are species responding? In Part 1 of her polar series, Expedition Leader Maru Marcias explores the relationship between climate and biodiversity, using examples from both polar and temperate ecosystems. From gray whales and monarch butterflies to macroalgae and krill, she shares what we’re learning from species that are adapting to a warming world—and those that aren't. Discover why polar regions are especially vulnerable to climate change and how they offer insights into its global effects.

Orchids are among the most elegant plants on Earth, but how much do you know about them? Expedition Leader Melissa Silva unveils the hidden lives of orchids, from their astonishing diversity and adaptations to their vital ecological roles, rich cultural symbolism—even their culinary value. (Did you know orchids provide a key ingredient of the world's favorite ice cream flavor?) Discover how these fragile blooms have evolved to thrive around the world, including in Mexico, where Melissa guides our Kingdom of the Monarchs trips.