Ultra-Trail Monarque

End of summer 2023, ultra-marathoner Anthony Battah will follow local monarch butterflies on their winter migration from Canada to Mexico, with the aim of drawing attention to the existential threat facing this important pollinator. The athletic challenge is immense: Anthony will cross 3 countries (Canada-USA-Mexico) and cover 4500 km in 90 days, averaging 50 km per day. He will depart from Montreal on July 29, 2023 and plans to arrive on November 1, 2023 at the Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve in central Mexico. The idea was born from a deep desire to take action in the face of a critical ecological situation. The magnitude of the challenge is an illustration of the magnitude of the problem and the solution.

End of summer 2023, ultra-marathoner Anthony Battah will follow local monarch butterflies on their winter migration from Canada to Mexico, with the aim of drawing attention to the existential threat facing this important pollinator. The athletic challenge is immense: Anthony will cross 3 countries (Canada-USA-Mexico) and cover 4500 km in 90 days, averaging 50 km per day. He will depart from Montreal on July 29, 2023 and plans to arrive on November 1, 2023 at the Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve in central Mexico. The idea was born from a deep desire to take action in the face of a critical ecological situation. The magnitude of the challenge is an illustration of the magnitude of the problem and the solution.

End of summer 2023, ultra-marathoner Anthony Battah will follow local monarch butterflies on their winter migration from Canada to Mexico, with the aim of drawing attention to the existential threat facing this important pollinator. The athletic challenge is immense: Anthony will cross 3 countries (Canada-USA-Mexico) and cover 4500 km in 90 days, averaging 50 km per day. He will depart from Montreal on July 29, 2023 and plans to arrive on November 1, 2023 at the Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve in central Mexico. The idea was born from a deep desire to take action in the face of a critical ecological situation. The magnitude of the challenge is an illustration of the magnitude of the problem and the solution.

According to recent data, the monarch butterfly population has been in significant decline for about two decades. In addition to being listed as a species at risk under Canada's Species at Risk Act, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has recently placed this species on the Red List of Threatened Species. Due to habitat destruction and climate change, the IUCN estimates that the western population of the monarch (west of the Rocky Mountains) has declined by 99.9% since the 1980s, and the eastern population (east of the Rocky Mountains) has declined by 84% between 1996 and 2014. Logging, deforestation, and the use of pesticides and herbicides significantly impact monarch butterflies and their habitat. Weather events caused by climate change, such as droughts, forest fires, and extreme temperatures, are also growing threats to the remaining populations.

According to recent data, the monarch butterfly population has been in significant decline for about two decades. In addition to being listed as a species at risk under Canada's Species at Risk Act, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has recently placed this species on the Red List of Threatened Species. Due to habitat destruction and climate change, the IUCN estimates that the western population of the monarch (west of the Rocky Mountains) has declined by 99.9% since the 1980s, and the eastern population (east of the Rocky Mountains) has declined by 84% between 1996 and 2014. Logging, deforestation, and the use of pesticides and herbicides significantly impact monarch butterflies and their habitat. Weather events caused by climate change, such as droughts, forest fires, and extreme temperatures, are also growing threats to the remaining populations.

According to recent data, the monarch butterfly population has been in significant decline for about two decades. In addition to being listed as a species at risk under Canada's Species at Risk Act, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has recently placed this species on the Red List of Threatened Species. Due to habitat destruction and climate change, the IUCN estimates that the western population of the monarch (west of the Rocky Mountains) has declined by 99.9% since the 1980s, and the eastern population (east of the Rocky Mountains) has declined by 84% between 1996 and 2014. Logging, deforestation, and the use of pesticides and herbicides significantly impact monarch butterflies and their habitat. Weather events caused by climate change, such as droughts, forest fires, and extreme temperatures, are also growing threats to the remaining populations.

We need to add approximately 1.5 billion milkweed plants and an abundance of nectar-producing flowers along the migratory pathway of the monarch butterfly. Throughout his "migratory" ultramarathon – from Canada to Mexico - Anthony will plant milkweed and nectar-rich flowers to create "aid stations" for future generations of monarchs. He hopes to initiate a North American movement to create habitats for monarch butterflies. The movement is already underway with many schools and cities committed to support the cause.

We need to add approximately 1.5 billion milkweed plants and an abundance of nectar-producing flowers along the migratory pathway of the monarch butterfly. Throughout his "migratory" ultramarathon – from Canada to Mexico - Anthony will plant milkweed and nectar-rich flowers to create "aid stations" for future generations of monarchs. He hopes to initiate a North American movement to create habitats for monarch butterflies. The movement is already underway with many schools and cities committed to support the cause.

We need to add approximately 1.5 billion milkweed plants and an abundance of nectar-producing flowers along the migratory pathway of the monarch butterfly. Throughout his "migratory" ultramarathon – from Canada to Mexico - Anthony will plant milkweed and nectar-rich flowers to create "aid stations" for future generations of monarchs. He hopes to initiate a North American movement to create habitats for monarch butterflies. The movement is already underway with many schools and cities committed to support the cause.