NatuMonarch Viewing at Pacific Groove Museum of Natural History

A successful real estate developer, Nader Agh, is the owner of Agha Construction headquartered in Monterey, CA. Outside of work, Nader Agha gives back to his community through donations to various nonprofit organizations, including contributing over $200,000 to the Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History in Pacific Grove, CA.

Opened in 1883, the museum was among the first natural history museums in the country. It aims to foster wonder, discovery, and care of our natural environment. One of its offerings is the monarch viewing at the Monarch Sanctuary at 250 Ridge Road around 10 blocks from the Museum. The site hosts the largest population of overwintering monarchs in Monterey County open to public viewing.

There are museum guides every day at the sanctuary from 12 noon until 3 pm from November to February, as long as the weather allows it. The guides, who can answer questions, greatly enhance the viewing experience. These butterflies migrate south, during autumn, and hibernate to escape the northern winter cold and migrate back north during spring.

Scientists are still baffled how monarchs can return to the same overwintering locations (even the same trees). The returning monarchs (due to short lifespans) are the fourth generation of the previous monarchs who migrated south and have never traveled the route before.