Monarch Nation is proud to present Flight of the Monarch Day, a nationwide event to recognize the iconic monarch butterfly.
On August 22, 2020, communities and organizations across Canada will be coming together to celebrate one of North America’s most cherished insects!
Join the network of communities across Canada and become part of a movement to protect and raise awareness about the monarch butterfly.
#FeeltheFlutter!
GET INVOLVED IN FLIGHT OF THE MONARCH DAY!
How to Participate
Sign up below to receive activities and publicity materials, starting in early summer.
If possible, consider planning your own neighbourhood event for August 22 to celebrate the monarch butterfly. Or simply have fun with your family completing the activities we’ll send when you sign up.
Remember to take lots of pictures! We’ll share instructions for posting and tagging us on social media.
TIP: Spread the word by asking your local municipality to sign our Flight of the Monarch Day proclamation.
OUR SUPPORTERS
Sign Up to Take Part in Flight of the Monarch Day
Complete the form below to receive Flight of the Monarch Day resources.
SPREAD THE WORD
Your local municipality will support your Flight of the Monarch Day event — here’s how to get them on board!
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Check online to see if your municipality has an online process to register a proclamation. If it does, submit the wording below. |
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Once the proclamation is approved, share the Flight of the Monarch Day resources so that libraries and recreation centres can host monarch-related activities on August 22. |
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Keep Monarch Nation in the loop: Register any events on our website, and we will add to our events listing! |
If your local municipality does not issue proclamations, ask them what they can do instead. They may be able to send an official to your event, or even light a municipal building in orange for the day!
Proclamation: National Flight of the Monarch Day
WHEREAS: Monarch butterflies are one of the most iconic and cherished insects in North America. Their epic 5,000-kilometre migration from eastern Canada to the forests of central Mexico begins in late August each year. In 2013, the eastern population of monarch butterflies dropped by 95 per cent, the smallest recorded population since the mid-1990s. Since 2013, the population has rebounded, thanks in part to the collective efforts of thousands of individuals, groups and communities across Canada, but the monarch’s future remains in serious peril. Flight of the Monarch Day is an opportunity to celebrate the growing movement to protect monarch butterflies and the astonishing phenomenon of their migration as their epic journey southward begins.
THEREFORE, I do hereby proclaim August 22, 2020 as Flight of the Monarch Day.
FIND AN EVENT
Monarch Nation: Stop-Motion Animation Workshop Series
Join us for this four-part webinar series and learn how to create your own stop-motion animation!
Creatively explore the world of monarch butterflies and learn about their life cycle by making your own characters. Complete your project by creating a background, props and scene elements. Bring your characters and props alive and present your very own animated film!
This program is intended for ages 6+
LEARN MORE AND REGISTER:
Blue Sky Theatre Presents: Mysteries of the Monarch Butterfly Workshop Series
Get to know the iconic monarch butterfly!
Learn about its life cycle from egg to caterpillar to chrysalis to butterfly, and how it migrates from Canada to Mexico each year. Then, bring your learning to life through dramatic play!
This online series is intended for families with kids ages 6 to 12 years old.
LEARN MORE AND REGISTER:
Plan Your Own Event
Here are some tips to consider when planning your
Flight of the Monarch Day event.
WHAT KIND OF EVENT ARE YOU PLANNING?
PLANNING AN IN-PERSON EVENT
PHASE ONE: DESIGN
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Confirm the date and time: The national Flight of the Monarch event is being held on August 22, 2020. This date is recommended for your event too. However, if this date conflicts with other local events or significant celebrations, you may want to shift to another date. |
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Select the venue. Ensure that it has the capacity and resources to support your event. Inquire about potential cost. |
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Depending on the venue, you may require additional resources. Consider planning for:
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Create an event budget if required. |
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Recruit help! You may want assistance in planning the event, securing additional resources, and providing support on the day of the event. |
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Brand your event. Use the Flight of the Monarch day resources to help. You may want to use social media, make posters, or perhaps even build a website. Our resources will help you do that. |
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Assess any safety risks, and identify how they will be mitigated |
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Create contingency plans to address potential issues such as weather changes, unexpected costs, and rescheduling. |
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Identify and confirm any presenters/entertainers/facilitators. |
PHASE TWO: PLANNING
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Build your activities using our resources, and procure the supplies. |
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Continue marketing your event through social media, word of mouth, posters, etc. |
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If you haven’t already done so, book your venue and any other resources you may need. |
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Join the national celebration by logging your event HERE. |
PHASE THREE: THE BIG DAY!
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Direct the setup of on-site activities. |
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Welcome guests and help guide them to activities. |
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Take photos! |
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ENJOY! |
PHASE FOUR: WRAP-UP
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Share your photos from the event on social media. Tag us: #monarchnationca and #FeelTheFlutter. |
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Consider sending thank you notes and acknowledgement letters to everyone who helped you pull this off! |
PLANNING A VIRTUAL EVENT
This year, many of us are discovering how to use online tools to connect with others. Applying these new skills to plan an online event can be a great experience
Even if this is your first time, we have some tips that can help to guide you through the process.
PHASE ONE: DESIGN
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Confirm the date and time: The national Flight of the Monarch event is being held on August 22, 2020. This date is recommended for your event too. However, if this date conflicts with other local events or significant celebrations, you may want to shift to another date. |
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Select an online platform for your event. Choose a platform that you feel comfortable with, and that your target audience will be able to access. Here are a few suggestions:
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Plan the content for your event. You may want to include:
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Consider and plan for any costs you may incur. Examples:
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Recruit help! You may want assistance in planning the event, securing additional resources, and to help you on the day of the event. TIP: When hosting an online event, it’s helpful to have some tech support and/or a second presenter to monitor participant questions/problems in the chat box. |
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Brand your event: Use our Flight of the Monarch resources to help. You may want to use social media, make posters, or perhaps even build a website. Our resources will help you do that. |
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Identify and confirm any presenters/entertainers/facilitators. |
PHASE TWO: PLANNING
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Publicize your event: You can use your social media channel(s), send an email blast, or consider buying Facebook or Google Ads. |
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Build your activities using our resources. Procure the supplies if you plan to distribute to participants ahead of time. |
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Test out your event platform: Gather all of your presenters/facilitators and do a “dry run” to iron out any glitches. |
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Join the national celebration by logging your event HERE. |
PHASE THREE: THE BIG EVENT!
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Check in to your online platform ahead of time and make sure everything is working. |
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Work with your team to deliver content as smoothly as possible — aim to start on time, regardless of who is logged on. |
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Keep an eye on the chat, and respond to questions if possible. |
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ENJOY! |
PHASE FOUR: WRAP-UP
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Post the video recording of your event and/or any photos to your favourite social media channel — and make sure you tag us: #FeelTheFlutter and #monarchnationca. |
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Consider sending thank you notes and acknowledgement letters to everyone who helped you pull this off! |