From Shrek to Soar: Isabella's Reflection

By Isabella Kugal, RTR Reflection Winner & Wantagh High School Senior

Isabella's caterpillar Shrek—now a monarch butterfly!

As I brought home my two monarch caterpillars, I was so ecstatic to be able to watch them transform into butterflies. My little brother named one caterpillar Shrek and the other one Fiona (since Shrek is his favorite movie). Every morning my brother would run into my room to check on the caterpillars and ask me when they would turn into butterflies. I explained to him that it would take time for the caterpillars to first turn into chrysalis’s and then become butterflies. The patience that was required to watch the caterpillars grow into butterflies allowed me to learn that as we continue to try and create methods to combat climate change, we must be patient in our efforts but continue to have the motivation to see that there can be a solution to environmental problems. Nothing can be completely changed in one day but our constant passion to improve our world will never allow a failed outcome to occur. I wish that climate change, deforestation and so many other problems could be ended by the press of a button, but as that is not realistically attainable, we must continue to work together in ReWild to make small impacts each day. 

Isabella talking with Cynthia about her home native garden.

As someone who would like to major in Environmental Science, I find it very meaningful to be able to be a part of an activity that has taught me life lessons but that has also taught me about how to improve the monarch butterfly species. Before I started the RTR Program, I mainly focused on raising and releasing the monarchs in order to increase their population, and although this is extremely important, I realized (thanks to Cynthia) that it is equally important to make sure that the monarchs have stable habitats and food sources that they can depend on to ensure that they can survive and thrive. I am so glad that Cynthia gave us the milkweed plants (which are a beautiful addition to my garden) and that I was able to play a role in helping the monarch butterfly population. 

First RTR Summer Program session (Isabella, front row, fourth from the right)

When I enter college in the fall of next year, I will keep these lessons in mind and use them to ensure that myself and my peers are making positive impacts on the planet. Being able to work with the other members these past few weeks has also been such a great experience and I can’t wait to raise monarch butterflies again in the future.

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Stay tuned for more RTR Student Reflections on the Monarch Moments blog!