About the Monarch Butterfly's Over-wintering Season Getting Started Journey North begins in February when the monarchs are at their winter refuge deep in central Mexico. The monarch's unique winter habitat is found on only 12 mountaintops on the planet, and the monarch's story is one of nature's most incredible examples of adaptation and survival. Spring migration begins in March, and an announcement comes from Mexico that the monarchs are on their way. After living off their fat reserves all winter, tens of millions of monarch butterflies head northward. With just a few weeks to live, they race to produce the next generation. In a unique partnership, you can join students and scientists across North America this spring to track the monarch butterfly's migration from Mexico. Also see Orientation Message for New Participants Try these other lessons and activities for Monarch Butterflies. Integrate Monarchs into Journey North's study of the seasons. Explore the Monarch's Winter Habitat Meet the People Who Live Nearby Follow Weekly Monarch News Write in Your Monarch Habitat Journal Get Ready to Track Spring Migration This Season Teachers Kids Orientation Registration Search Copyright 1997-2010 Journey North. All Rights Reserved. Questions or comments? Contact us.