As Seen on 60 Minutes: The Monarch Migration and How ECOLIFE Conservation is Making a Difference in Mexico

This week, millions of viewers tuned in to 60 Minutes to witness one of the world’s most awe-inspiring natural events: the monarch butterfly migration. Anderson Cooper’s journey to the mountains of Michoacán, Mexico shined a much-needed spotlight on the fragile forests that host these iconic butterflies every winter—and the threats they face from climate change, habitat loss, and forest degradation.

At ECOLIFE Conservation, this story is deeply personal. For over two decades, we’ve worked on the ground in Michoacán to protect the Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve, the critical habitat integral to the migration of monarchs—not only for the butterflies but for the families who live within and around it.

Protecting Monarchs by Protecting People

The 60 Minutes special touched on the growing risks to the oyamel fir forests, the monarchs’ winter sanctuary. One of the biggest, lesser-known threats is Fuelwood harvesting—a necessity for families who rely on open-fire cooking. To address this, since 2003 ECOLIFE has been operating a fuel-efficient stove program that provides cleaner, safer alternatives to traditional three-stone fires. Each stove can reduce firewood use by 60% and indoor air pollution by 90%, directly decreasing pressure on the forest and improving human health.

To date, we’ve installed over 15,000 stoves that have reduced approximately 140,000 metric tons of CO2 emissions, saved the biomass equivalent of 50,000 trees, and improved the health of more than 75,000 people.

Carbon Credits + Corporate Partnerships = Scalable Impact

In 2025, we are working towards having our stove program fully funded through carbon credits and corporate partnerships, creating a sustainable pathway to scale our impact. Carbon credits are verified emission reductions, equal to one ton of carbon dioxide eliminated from the atmosphere. High-quality carbon credits are developed by adhering to a strict set of international standards that quantify emission reductions. Each credit created by this project is verified by auditors, certified by the Gold Standard, and sold on the voluntary market to organizations committed to reducing their carbon footprint. For individuals wanting to offset their personal carbon footprint, ECOLIFE has partnered with Greentripper to provide a carbon offset calculator that allows individuals to calculate their carbon emissions and contribute directly to programs like ECOLIFE’s that actively reduce carbon emissions.

By supporting this program, you’re not only helping save monarch habitat—you’re supporting climate action, forest preservation, and human wellbeing.

Be Part of the Migration Story

The monarch migration is a symbol of resilience, wonder, and interconnectedness. But its survival depends on collective action—yours included.

If the 60 Minutes story moved you, consider supporting our work in the region:

• Donate to Conservation Efforts in Mexico
• Sponsor a Stove for a Family in Need
• Offset Your Personal Carbon Emissions
• Make a Qualified Charitable Distribution (great tax incentives!)
• Partner with us if you represent a business seeking real, measurable climate impact.
• Attend an ECOLIFE Event
• Share this post to raise awareness.

Let’s turn awareness into action—for the monarchs, for the forests, and for future generations.

→ Learn more and support our work today at www.ecolifeconservation.org