When Monarchs Vanish, So Does Our Magic

The Enchantment of Butterflies

For as long as humans have told stories, butterflies have embodied transformation, freedom, and beauty. Among them, the Monarch butterfly holds a place unlike any other, revered in folklore, cherished in art, and championed in conservation. Today, their story is woven into OMThread’s Save Monarchs Collection, created in partnership with Pollinator Partnership, the world’s largest nonprofit dedicated exclusively to pollinator conservation. Monarchs are more than symbols; they are living reminders of how deeply our own lives are bound to the rhythms of nature.

The Monarch butterfly holds a special kind of magic. With vibrant orange wings traced by black veins and dotted with white, they seem like tiny stained-glass windows illuminated by sunlight. Even the dust on their wings, those fragile, powdery scales, serves a purpose, helping them fly, regulate heat, and even escape predators. Every detail of their design is both delicate and essential.

The Monarch Butterfly Migration to Mexico

But what truly sets Monarchs apart is their astonishing migration - one of the most remarkable journeys in the natural world. Each year, millions travel thousands of miles, some flying from Canada and across the breadth of North America, all the way to the fir forests of central Mexico. They navigate mountains, rivers, and vast stretches of land, guided by an ancient instinct we can barely comprehend. To witness a Monarch drifting southward is to glimpse resilience wrapped in wings.

And yet, this miracle is under threat. Climate change, habitat loss, and pesticide use have taken a devastating toll, shrinking their populations and endangering the future of this epic migration. The Monarch’s story - once one of abundance and awe, is now shadowed by urgency.

Petey, My Precious Cat: The Inspiration Behind OMThread

By nature, I have always been deeply empathetic. But when my first cat, Petey, the inspiration behind OMThread, came into my life, that empathy reached a new depth, a visceral connection I had never experienced before. I had never owned a pet, and suddenly this small, wise, playful soul was family. Through his trust, his spirit, and his quiet wisdom, the lens through which I viewed life grew sharper and clearer, revealing a profound kinship with all living beings. From there, the connectedness began to unravel, showing me that the universe is a structure built to support the interconnection of life. We are each other’s guardians and messengers, boundless and cohesive in ways that defy separation.

Through Petey, I realized that we can only thrive when we stand up for the voiceless. His presence deepened my awareness of species in peril and inspired me to use my creative energy in ways that advocate for those who cannot speak for themselves.

Inspired by Wonder

From an early age, I developed a deep reverence for the living world, a sense of awe that has never left me. I’ve always been drawn to Monarchs, their beauty, their fragility, their power to inspire. Even years ago, I found myself sharing that wonder in small ways, handing out Monarch finger puppets to friendly passengers during my ferry rides from Marin County to downtown San Francisco. Even when friends visited us at home, I’d find a way to gift them a Monarch. It was a playful gesture, but also a quiet effort to spark awareness about these incredible pollinators.

The Hyde Street Moment

That reverence crystallized this past May. On my way to a Giants game in downtown San Francisco, I suddenly stopped in my tracks. Towering above Hyde Street was the breathtaking Monarch Mural by Ink Dwell, a sweeping celebration of the very creatures that had long captured my imagination. Its beauty and scale left me speechless.

Standing there, heart full, only one thought echoed in my mind: “I want to wear that.” Not as a fashion statement, but as a symbol of love, urgency, and hope.

That encounter became the spark that led me work on OMThread’s Save Monarchs Collection. And through this journey, I entered into a collaboration I deeply honor and am profoundly grateful for with Pollinator Partnership.

Be the Change: How to Help Save Monarchs

The Monarch’s story is urgent, but it is not hopeless. Each of us has the power to make choices that ripple outward and create change. Small steps, taken together, can become a movement.

Here are meaningful actions you can take to save Monarchs:

- Plant native milkweed — Monarch caterpillars can only survive on it.

- Grow nectar-rich flowers that bloom in succession to support their migration.

- Avoid pesticides and herbicides in your garden.

- Support pollinator-friendly farmers and local growers.

- Create pollinator habitats — even a balcony or small yard can become a sanctuary.

- Reduce your carbon footprint to lessen the climate impacts that threaten migration.

- Join citizen science projects to track Monarch populations and contribute data.

- Educate your community and children about pollinators’ vital role.

- Advocate for stronger protections for pollinator habitats.

- Support organizations like Pollinator Partnership that lead global conservation efforts.

- Stay informed, read important research, such as Elise Zipkin’s climate‑forecast models for Monarch breeding grounds, which identify where conservation efforts will matter most in the face of climate change.

Every choice matters. Every garden planted, every voice raised, every conversation sparked — it all adds up to change.

Monarchs at Home

This isn’t just a faraway story of migration to Mexico. It’s unfolding right here in Marin. I recently came across an article in the Marin Independent Journal about the Monarch Butterfly Project and the elementary school at 5th Avenue and Happy Lane in San Rafael. The piece, “San Rafael school safety plan distresses butterfly supporters,” highlighted the difficult balance between community safety and the preservation of vital Monarch habitat.

Reading it reminded me that the fight to protect Monarchs isn’t abstract or distant. It’s happening in our own backyards, in our schools, and in the daily choices our communities make. And it reinforced for me why raising awareness and sparking conversations - even through something as simple as a t-shirt can truly matter.

Wearing the Message

Clothing can be more than personal style — it can be a billboard for change. Our Save Monarchs Collection, created in partnership with Pollinator Partnership, is one way to carry this message forward. Each design is a tribute to the Monarch’s beauty, resilience, and importance. Each purchase helps fund conservation efforts. And every shirt worn becomes an opportunity to spark awareness and action.

The Monarch teaches us that strength does not come from size or volume, but from resilience, grace, and the will to keep going. Let us honor them, not just by admiring their beauty, but by standing up for their survival. Together, we can be the change that keeps their wings in flight.