Peggy Witnesses the Monarch Butterfly Migration in Mexico

Whether frolicking along the Jersey Shore on summer vacation or exploring her neighborhood streets, Peggy has always had a deep love for nature and the outdoors. At six years old, she was captivated upon discovering a flutter of monarch butterflies. As she watched flapping orange and black wings speckled with white, excitement stirred inside her.

“It was the most magical thing,” Peggy remembered. Peggy’s mother bought her a butterfly net so she could explore further—and explore she did. Once, she had the idea to keep butterflies in the bathroom of her home, but when her dad opened the door, they all flew out.

As Peggy grew up and started a teaching career, her fascination with butterflies continued, and she passed her knowledge on to her students. She shared the transformation of a live caterpillar with her first Kindergarten class back in 1976, watching and learning as it turned into a chrysalis and then a fully developed monarch butterfly. She documented what butterflies needed for nourishment, researched details of their migration patterns, and even planted milkweed in her yard to attract them. In fact, Peggy’s yard in Florida became part of the Monarch Waystation Registry— places that provide resources necessary for monarchs to lay eggs, find nectar sources, and complete their migration path.

“To watch this lifecycle and total metamorphosis is life changing and makes me in awe of nature and the universe,” Peggy shared. “The beauty of it is something that brings me to tears each time I witness it.”

Peggy became highly respected in the education field as the years passed. A U.S. Fulbright Education Specialist, she authored books on education, and traveled extensively to teach education workshops. She felt great purpose in helping new teachers feel equipped as they grew in the field, much like a butterfly emerging from a chrysalis.

Challenges came Peggy’s way when she was diagnosed with Stage 3 breast cancer in her early forties. This led her down a path of treatments, procedures, and uncertainty of the future. Today, she remains cancer-free and participates in fundraisers for breast cancer research. Then in 2008, she survived a horrific car accident. She was left recovering from numerous injuries for years, which took a toll on both her physical and mental health.

After years of hard work and healing, Peggy remained committed to butterfly research and education. But there was one butterfly-related experience that seemed out of reach at age 70: She wanted to see the monarch butterfly migration up close in Mexico.

Every year, tens of millions of monarchs set flight on a 3,000-mile journey from the northeastern U.S. and Canada to their ancestral wintering grounds in Mexico’s volcanic Central Highlands. The location of their breeding grounds remained a mystery until researchers found it with the help of locals in 1977. Now, experienced guides take visitors to this area to see millions of butterflies firsthand. It was Peggy’s dream to experience it for herself.

Wish of a Lifetime was thrilled to offer Peggy an experience that would take her lifelong interest in butterflies to the next level.

For the wish experience, Peggy landed in Mexico City and enjoyed a night at the Grand Fiesta Americana Chapultepec. The next day, she embarked on a guided group tour with Natural Habitat Adventures’ Kingdom of the Monarchs excursion. The tour began with an open-back truck ride to the El Rosario Butterfly Sanctuary, followed by a horseback ride on a forest trail to the heart of the monarchs’ migratory breeding ground. There, she saw tree trunks so covered in butterflies it looked like the bark was made of them. Branches bent under the weight of so many clustered together, and the ground was peppered with streaks of orange and black.

“It was like witnessing a miracle,” Peggy said. “It’s hard to imagine that these little butterflies on gossamer wings can fly thousands of miles.”

The educator in Peggy soaked up everything she could. She was astounded by all she learned from the  excursion’s knowledgeable guides.

Now that her trip has ended, Peggy is already thinking of ways she can share her experience with students, using her connections as an educator. She plans to collaborate with Natural Habitat Adventures in the future.

“I can’t wait to share more of what I learned with the kids,” Peggy said. “This is a gift that will keep on giving; it’s not one and done. Hundreds and hundreds of people and kids will benefit—I’ll make sure of it.”