Windsor Ontario - When the Canadian Pacific Monarch Express chugs into Windsor in September, it will bring a message of urgency for efforts to save the endangered monarch butterfly.
 
Monarch butterflies, identifiable by their two pairs of brilliant orange, black-veined wings with white spots towards the edges, summer in southern Canada before migrating to their winter home in the mountain forests of Mexico, a 4,000 plus kilometre journey.
 
But climate change, extreme weather events, deforestation, and lack of native plants have led to drastically reduced population numbers.
 
To bring attention to their plight, the Monarch Express, a CP freight car (it's a GATX painted car), will follow the butterfly's international migration from Windsor to Monterrey, Mexico, with stops in Chicago, Kansas City, Laredo, Texas, and other Mexican cities.
 
"It's a Rotary initiative," said spokeswoman Giselle Seguin.
 
"It's Rotary clubs hosting each event along the way."
 
Celebrations will include parades and other activities, chosen by each host city.
 
Before its departure from Windsor, the train will be on display for the public 10 Sep 2022 from 10:00 to 15:00 at the CP rail yard, 1039 Janette Avenue.
 
Windsor and Essex Rotary club members, monarch enthusiasts, artisans, and concerned citizens will join Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens and rotarians Traci Sincock and David Eaton for a presentation at 11:00.
 
Eaton is leading the initiative and will travel from Mexico to Windsor to be part of the celebration.
 
The family friendly event will include music, poetry readings, children's activities, and vendors along with information on how to help the monarch butterflies.
 
According to World Wildlife Fund Canada, the endangered species is threatened by deforestation of wintering forests in Mexico, disruptions to migration caused by climate change, and the loss of native plants, including milkweed species but also all nectar-producing native plants, along migratory corridors.
 
Local gardeners can help support the butterflies by planting food for them, including a variety of milkweed plants along with late-blooming pale purple coneflower, black-eyed Susan, asters, and goldenrod.
 
World Wildlife Fund says the monarch butterfly's presence carries deep meaning in Mexico, where millions return on 1 and 2 November, known as el Día de los Muertos or the Day of the Dead.
 
Tradition holds the monarchs are the returning spirits of loved ones who have died.
 
The Monarch Express will start its journey in Windsor, which is the only Canadian stop and the hometown of Rotary International president Jennifer Jones.
 
Author unknown.