KAWARTHA LAKES- Judy Seymour dedicated a Monarch Butterfly in memory of her father Harry Gingras. “I’m a member of the Horticultural Society and they are part of the butterfly release and I thought it would be a lovely tribute”
Seymour was one of a number of people who took part in the Celebration of Life Butterfly Release held at the Maryboro Lodge Museum in Fenelon Falls on Sunday. The group says the butterfly release is a special and unique way to honour your loved ones who have passed away. “There are many legends and beliefs surrounding the butterfly,” Officiant Caroline Fenelius-Carpenter told the crowd. “They are believed to be connected to the great spirit like the first nations people. In Mexico they are a symbol of rebirth, regeneration, happiness and joy.”
For some, the life of the butterfly has a strong correlation to the struggles faced in our own lives. “The metamorphosis of egg to caterpillar to chrysalis to butterfly is one of life’s biggest mysteries,” Fenelius-Carpenter said. She related its struggle to get out of the chrysalis to the struggles we face in our lives.
Each butterfly was tagged with information on it including where it was released and the name of the person it was dedicated to. This allows experts to monitor their migration patterns and loved ones will be notified if their butterfly is spotted on the long journey south to Mexico.
Approximately 60 people purchased a tag and then the butterflies were all released at once. Some of them didn’t want to go. Seymour’s butterfly sat on her hand for a long time, hesitant to leave. “It very emotional” she said, with tears in her eyes. “It’s my dad. I don’t think he wants to go”
Watch it here:
The Monarch Butterfly has been deemed a “threatened species” throughout North and South America. According to Monarch Watch their populations have declined by 90% within the last 20 years. Monarch watch ways this is partly due to loss of habitat as a result of farming and weed spraying in their summer migratory areas. Monarch Caterpillars eat only Milkweed which makes them poisonous to birds and other predators that might eat them. But this is also partially why they are on the decline. For many years Milkweed was on the agricultural “noxious weed” list prompting farmers and municipalities to try to eradicate it. It’s only been removed from that list in the last few years.
The event included an educational component on the need for preservation of the Monarch as well as themed activities for kids. Experts were on hand to ensure the butterflies were handled appropriately and not injured.
The event was organized by Lorrie McConnell a Fenelon Falls resident who lost her son unexpectedly. She released a butterfly in his honour. They hope to make it a yearly event to honour lost loved ones and help save the Monarch. “Whatever your belief, whatever your heard says isn’t it a beautiful thought that there’s something bigger, something grander, something beyond what we have right here.” Fenelius-Carpenter remarked.
