Are you looking for a fun, meaningful summer activity that will get the kids out of the house?
Is your nature/conservation organization looking for a Keynote speaker who will motivate the converted to reach even higher?
Would you like to do your part to maintain or restore the dwindling monarch butterfly population and preserve the migration?
Join me at any of my public presentations. Bring the kids. In less than an hour you’ll be set to start the hunt for monarch eggs and caterpillars. You will know how to care for them, and release the adults. I will bring samples of the minimal equipment you’ll need. My presentation will be fun and interesting, and you’ll learn enough about the life cycle and migration of this miraculous insect to teach your friends who will be fascinated when you show them your living laboratory. I will explain how picture taking becomes part of the fun.
The Monarch Crusader would be happy to speak at your school, business, garden club, day camp, wellness group, library, conservation area, retirement residence, or other organization. The fee 
is generally $ 300 plus HST. Higher for keynotes and shows, or travel outside Toronto. Discount for local not-for-profits is $ 250 plus HST. Reduced rate for multiple bookings. Call Carol at 416 271 6606 or email monarchcrusader@gmail.com
Kids of all ages love the hands on experience of touching caterpillars and butterflies in season.
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SEE THE MONARCH CRUSADER ON STAGE. Click to see Carol on stage.
Seven different presentations to suit your group:
Drama in the Butterfly Garden
Explore the secret lives in your yard or nearby natural area. Through macros and videos, you’ll see insects hatching, eating each other, transforming, parasitizing, fighting for territory, courting, and even farming! You’ll be surprised by the variety of wildlife living so close to home.
How to Bring Butterflies to Your Garden
Imagine having a garden teeming with the most beautiful butterflies! Learn what to plant to attract the most butterflies, and other components for the perfect butterfly garden. Along the way, Carol will share her passion for monarch butterflies by describing their life cycle, and how you can hold one in the palm of your hand.
How to Raise Monarch Butterflies
Imagine holding a monarch butterfly in your hand!
That’s what you’ll be able to do if you raise them yourself. At this fun workshop, author/educator Carol Pasternak, aka The Monarch Crusader, will teach you everything you need to know to raise your own monarchs. She will delight you with details of this incredible insect’s life cycle from egg to butterfly, along with its amazing migration to Mexico. Discover the perils it faces, and how you can help. We’ll also talk about how to bring other butterflies to your garden.
Tricks to Get Kids Gardening 
They won’t do it just because you love it, or because you want them to. Inspire the young people in your life to get their hands dirty using any of the numerous tricks and strategies Carol has compiled. Those kids will be having fun gardening 12 months a year!
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Monarchs, Mexico and a Message of Hope
Are monarch butterflies going extinct? Is there anything we can do to save them? This presentation includes, then goes beyond the monarch’s miraculous life cycle, by following them all the way to their winter habitat. You’ll be dazzled by videos and photos of tens of thousands of monarchs semi hibernating in Mexico. Learn why and how America’s most beloved insect has captured our hearts, and the achievements of those who work hard to conserve them.
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The Leps in your Neighbourhood 
Take an up close look at a wide range of butterflies, moths, and caterpillars, that you may not have noticed in the meadow, or right in your backyard. Stunning macro photos and videos will reveal what the naked eye cannot see. Discover where eggs and caterpillars hide, and other strategies they use to avoid being eaten.
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Curriculum based presentations for students ages 4 to 8.
Watch this Rogers television interview to learn how Carol works to solve two of today’s problems: that not enough people care about the environment, and that kids are too attached to their devices. Watch
Testimonials:
Carol has a remarkable knack for engaging any audience, from school groups to seniors – and anyone in between. Her lively presentations have helped inspire our Butterflyway Project volunteers for each of the past five years.
Jode Roberts, Senior strategist and Butterflyway Project manager, David Suzuki Foundation
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Carol’s expertise about monarchs and other critters inspired our first group of Guildwood Butterflyway Rangers when we went for our training at the David Suzuki Foundation’s offices in Toronto. Because of her contagious enthusiasm, we all “caught the bug” and have since spread the word to hundreds of other members of our community. Thank you Carol for everything you are doing to promote “highways of habitat” for these iconic insects! Allison Murray, Guildwood Butterflyway Project
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Carol Pasternak brings personal experience, passion, and timely messages to her audiences. Through images and dialogue, we learn to become activists and agents of change, conserving and protecting nature, but also improving our own lives and communities.
Don Davis, Chair, Monarch Butterfly Fund
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You are so inspiring – would love you to stay longer and teach every kid in our schools about the special magic in Monarchs. Keep up your amazing work and keep sharing.
Cauleen Viscoff, Chair, Peterborough Garden Show.
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Carol has been our guest lecturer and her presentations were very well attended. She provided a fascinating, well-paced talk on butterflies , which included beautiful images of various varieties that she has photographed in her own garden. Our attendees were highly complementary and very engaged with both the topic and the speaker. I would recommend Carol as a professional speaker on the subject of butterflies. Sarah N, Sales Consultant, Retirement Industry
Listen to the Monarch Crusader interview on City TV, Toronto. Click to watch.
Schedule
2021
Wednesday, January 6, 7pm EST ZOOM Meet the Author, with Kylee Baumle, The Monarch – Saving Our Most-loved Butterfly. Free. Listen to MEET THE AUTHOR with Kylee
Saturday, January 30, 5 pm EST ZOOM Meet the Author with Tony Gomez of Monarch Butterfly Garden. Bring Home the Butterflies e-book, How to Raise Monarch Butterflies e-book, plus, be the first to know about his new paperback! Free. SOLD OUT! Listen to MEET THE AUTHOR with Tony here.
Sunday February 7, time 4pm EST ZOOM Meet the Author with Carol Pasternak How to Raise Monarch Butterflies A Step-by-Step Guide for Kids. Join me for fun stories on how the book came to be, stories behind the shots, how the book has changed my life, and my plans for life after covid. Wear your favourite monarch clothes to show off after the Q & A. Free. If you would like to donate a small amount to help defray the costs of my upgraded Zoom account, you can do so securely with Paypal here: Click here donate. Listen to CAROL here.
Wednesday February 17, 3 pm EST ZOOM Meet the Author with Ba Rea Milkweed Monarchs and More, Monarch Come Play With Me, Learning From Monarchs and others. Free. Click to listen to the recording. If you would like to help defray the costs of my Zoom account, please do so here: Donate
Friday February 26, 1pm EST ZOOM Meet the Author with Lynn Rosenblatt Monarch Magic, Monarch Buddies, Woolly Bear the Banded Caterpillar and others. Click to watch the recording. If you would like to help defray the costs of my Zoom account, please contribute here: Donate.
Tuesday March 9, 1pm EST ZOOM Meet the Author with Brenda Dziedzic Raising Caterpillars in the Garden Free. Click here to register. Limit 150. If you would like to contribute towards my Zoom costs, please do so here: Donate
Saturday, March 20, 7 pm Eastern Standard Time. Zoom. 
Meet the Author with Anurag Agrawal, entomologist, author of Monarchs and Milkwee
ds Click to listen to the Zoom
If you would like to contribute towards my Zoom cost, please do so here: Click here donate.
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Wednesday April 21, 4pm Eastern Daylight Time. Meet the Author with Phyllis Calvey, The Butterfly Club ‘Is That You?’ Free. Click here to register. If you would like to contribute to my Zoom costs, please do so here: Donate Click to listen to the Zoom
Thursday, April 29, 7:30 pm EDT MEET THE MONARCH WATCH CONSERVATION SPECIALIST Are you curious about how to become a MWCS, or what they do? Be inspired by the projects of our wonderful MWCS’s Gail Morris, Carol Clark, Debbie Jackson and Susan Meyers! Click to listen to the recording.
May 19, East York PROBUS Club
Tuesday June 15, Newmarket Garden Club
2020
February 13, 2pm. Private. Donway Place. Drama in the Butterfly Garden.
Thursday, March 19, 3 pm Canada Blooms. Included with admission. Enercare Centre, Exhibition Place, Toronto. Garden Solutions Stage, Hall G. Bring the kids to learn the best summer hobby ever! CANCELLED
Tuesday October 13, Oshawa PROBUS. 10:00 am. Private.
Wednesday December 2, 4pm EST ZOOM Meet the Author with New York Times Best Selling Author Wendy William. The Language of Butterflies.
2019
Saturday February 23, 1:30 to 2:15 Toronto Botanical Garden Jump Into Spring Tricks to Get Kids Gardening. Open to the public. Suggested donation $2 for the whole event. 777 Lawrence Avenue East at Leslie Street, Toronto
Saturday March 16, 2pm. Canada Blooms. How to Raise Monarch Butterflies. Enercare Centre, Exhibition Place, Toronto. Garden Solutions Stage, Hall G. Bring the kids!
Wednesday April 10, 8 pm Credit Valley Horticultural Society, South Common Community Centre, 2265 South Millway, Mississauga. Guests welcome.
Friday April 12 Guildwood Butterflyway Project 12:45 to 1:45 Guildwood Junior Public School. Public invited, no charge. 225 Livingston Rd, Scarborough, ON M1E 1L8
Sunday April 28, Peterborough Garden Show For older kids and adults, Drama in the Butterfly Garden. For younger kids with an adult, How to Raise Monarch Butterflies Fleming College, 599 Brealey Dr, Peterborough, ON K9J 7B1 Admission $10 for all 3 days.
Tuesday May 7 Pine Ridge Garden Club Nestleton Community Hall, 3971 ON-7A, Nestleton Station, 7:30 pm Drama in the Butterfly Garden. Guests welcome.
Monday May 13 Keswick 7:30 pm in Keswick United Church, 177 Church St, Keswick. Drama in the Butterfly Garden. Guests welcome. No fee.
Wednesday May 22 7:30 pm Brooklin Horticultural Society Drama in the Butterfly Garden Brooklin United Church, 19 Cassels Road East, Brooklin
Wednesday July 10, 7:30 pm Uxbridge Garden Club. Guests welcome. Uxbridge Seniors Centre, 74 Marietta Street, Uxbridge.
Wednesday, July 17, 6pm to 8pm. Private. Humber Bay Butterfly Habitat Stewards.
Tuesday, July 16, Richmond Hill Public Library 2:00 pm to 3:00 1 Atkinson Street, Richmond Hill, ON L4C 0H5
2018
Tuesday, February 6, 2pm. Don Mills Seniors’ Apartments. Write me at monarchcrusader@gmail.com if you’d like to be put on the guest list.
Saturday March 17 4:00pm Canada Blooms. Enercare Centre, Exhibition Place, Toronto. I will be unleashing a brand new presentation: Drama in the Butterfly Garden. Bring the kids to discover what goes on in your backyard when you’re not looking. Egg laying, devouring, fighting, mating, molting, predators, disgusting parasites, and transformations, all captured in larger than life detailed photographs and videos. You’ll never look at your garden the same way. Corporations and groups, please send your scouts who are looking for dynamic keynote speakers.
April 25, 7pm. Leslieville. Private. The David Suzuki Foundation trains and supports about 25 volunteers to spend part of their summer establishing butterfly habitat and education programs in the Leslieville area of Toronto. I teach them the joy of butterflies and other insects and birds that they will attract.
Sunday April 29, 1pm. Private. David Suzuki Foundation Park Ranger education. For volunteers in Scarborough.
Sunday May 6, Markham 1 pm. Private. David Suzuki Foundation Park Rangers. For volunteers who live in Markham, just north of Toronto.
May 27 12 noon, Private. Church. I donated a presentation at a fundraiser for Village of Love, which helps to support orphans in Kenya, by lending their caregivers money to establish businesses. It was purchased by a parishioner for their monthly children’s program after the Sunday service and lunch.
June 4 Beverly Glen Public School. Private.
June 9 Public! I’ll be there from 10:00 until noon. Activities for the whole family.
Thursday, June 14, Leaside Garden Society. Leaside Library, 165 McRae Drive, 7:30 p.m. Refreshments are available prior to the meeting, beginning at 7:00 p.m. Open to the public, free.
Monday, June 25, Cannington Horticultural Society. Public and free. Royal Canadian Legion, 72 Peace St, Cannington. 7:30pm How to Bring Butterflies to Your Garden
Thursday June 28 3:15 pm The Annex Retirement Residence. Private.
Tuesday, July 17, East Gwillimbury Gardeners, Mount Albert Community Centre, 53 Main Street Mount Albert, at 7:30 p.m.
Thursday July 19 6-8 pm. David Suzuki Foundation Pizza in the Park, Christie Pits Park.
Wednesday, July 25. Humber Bay Butterfly Habitat. Private. I will be giving the volunteer stewards a lesson on the caterpillars and butterflies they host at the habitat.
Thursday August 16, 6 – 8 pm. David Suzuki Foundation Pizza in the Park, Christie Pits Park. We will likely tag and release a monarch, and I will probably have monarchs to give away.
Saturday August 18, 3 pm. Private workshop for mothers and kids on the Lakeshore.
September 11, 4 to 5 pm. Pape/Danforth Library, Public. Bring the kids! I will likely have monarchs to tag and release!
September 13, 5 pm Palmerston Public Library 560 Palmerston Ave., Toronto, M6G 2P7. Public. Bring the kids! I will likely have monarchs to tag and release.
2017
Saturday, March 18, 3 pm Public CANADA BLOOMS I will by launching my dynamic new presentation, so send your scouts. It will be suitable as a keynote for any corporation interested in conservation/environment. http://canadablooms.com/event/carolpasternak/
March 23, Bradford Horticultural Club, 7:30, public details TBA
Saturday and Sunday, April 1 and 2, DAVID SUZUKI FOUNDATION HOMEGROWN PARK RANGERS Private. I will be teaching the volunteers everything they need to know about butterflies, especially monarchs, and how to attract them.
Saturday, May 6, 11:00 am. Norfolk, Virginia. Presented by the Butterfly Society of Virginia. 11
Virginia Beach Police Department-Law Enforcement Training Academy
411 Integrity Way, Virginia Beach, Virginia 23451 Free and open to the public. Book signing to follow.
Sunday May 7, 11:00 am Leesburg, Virginia. Free and open to the public. Please register: https://loudounwildlife.org/event/monarchs-mexico-messenger-hope/
Coach House, Morven Park
17195 Southern Planter Ln.
Leesburg, VA 20176 + Google Map
Saturday May 13, DUFFERING GARDEN CENTRE, Orangeville. Time 11:00 Public, free, but you should register: https://events.r20.constantcontact.com/register/eventReg?oeidk=a07edv7dz1103f908e1&oseq=&c=&ch= After the presentation, please join us for refreshments in our Greenhouse full of beautiful hanging baskets, fresh herbs and tropicals. Stop by the Rustic Charm Gift Shop for a special gift for Mom and all your gardening needs. Take a stroll and discover spring in our gorgeous display gardens.
Address: 250 ‘C’ Line, Orangeville, Ontario, Canada L9W 3Z8 Phone: 519-941-5081
Saturday, June 3 Pollinator garden planting event in Centennial Park. Free.
Monday, June 12. R.H. McGregor Public School, Toronto. Private.
Friday June 16, Private. Williamson Road Public School, Toronto.
Wednesday, June 21 Thornhill Horticultual Society, Tricks to Get Kids Gardening. Free.
Saturday, June 24 Evergreen Brickworks 11:15 to 12:15. Learn where to look for caterpillars, which plants to buy, how to raise them, and finally, a real caterpillar hunt!
Tuesday July 4, RICHMOND HILL HORTICULTURAL, 8pm McConaghy Center Public details TBA
Thursday July 6, 5:30 pm Church of the Resurrection, 1100 Woodbine Avenue, Toronto
Wednesday July 12. Private for Humber Bay Butterfly Park volunteer stewards.
Sunday September 24. WORD ON THE STREET. 4:15 to 5. Free. Harbourfront Centre, 235 Queens Quay W, Toronto, ON M5J 2G8
Wednesday October 18, 7:30 Georgetown Horticultural Society, St. George Anglican Church, 60 Guelph Street, Free and open to the public.
2016
Saturday, March 19, 4pm. Public. Canada Blooms. Direct Energy Centre, CNE.
May 25, Richmond Hill Anglican Church, Annual Pot-luck dinner. Private.
May 29, 10:00 am to 12: 30. I won’t be speaking, but I’ll have some American Painted Lady caterpillars on their host plant, Pearly Everlasting. I’ll have a display board of monarchs, rearing cages, and a few surprises. I will be signing my book, How to Raise Monarch Butterflies A Step-by-Step Guide for Kids. $10. Come to talk butterflies with me, and enjoy the rest of the community gathering, which includes bees, honey, native plants, activities for the kids and other fun. And remember to support Lush Cosmetics, who support local community projects, like butterfly gardens, and manufacture all their products in Canada, free of animal testing. Lush Cosmetics. 35 Jutland Road. Public and free.
May 29, Christie Pits. Free. This is the annual David Suzuki Milkweed Pick Up. I will have a display there, and talk monarchs all afternoon, from 2 to 5. You can pick up a signed copy of my book for $10. I will have American Painted Lady caterpillars on Pearly Everylasting. There will be lots of vendors, including the North American Native Plant Society. And there will be surprises.
June 8 Oakville Christian School. Private.
June 11 North York Central Library. 5120 Yonge Street. This is a wonderful comfortable large venue. Bring your friends and kids. PUBLIC, free. I will bring whatever caterpillar and host plants I can. See my newly revised Power Point presentation, including shots from my recent trip to Mexico. Ask your questions. I will be signing books for $10. How to Raise Monarch Butterflies A Step-by-Step Guide for Kids. This is a great way to keep the kids busy and excited all summer!
June 15 Crestwood School, Toronto. Private. 1:20 pmJune 18 PUBLIC, free, 2pm Gerrard-Ashdale Library 1432 Gerrard Street EastJune 22, Taylor Kingston Library Public. Free. 1440 Kingston Road| Toronto. 1:30 pm
June 25, Riverdale Branch Toronto Public Library 370 Broadview Avenue. Public. Free.
July 23, Pathways to Perennials Public, $10, and you can pick up your milkweed and nectar plants there! 11:00 am 4681 Lloydtown-Aurora Rd, King, ON L7B 0E3 Just off the 400, half an hour south of Barrie.
August 10, Humber Bay Butterfly Habitat, Private.
September 10, Public, free. Bloor Gladstone Library 1101 Bloor Street West
September 13 Ching Garden Club, Brampton. Private.September 24 New Toronto Library. Public. Free. 1:30 pm. 110 Eleventh Street
September 28 Public. Free. Wychwood Library, 1431 Bathurst Street, 1:00 pm.
2015
March 18, Canada Blooms, 11:00 am
March 24, Bronte Horticultural Society, 7.30pm at Sir John Colborne Recreation Centre, West Oakville. Non members welcome.
May 19, 3015 Retired Teachers Private
Wednesday, June 17 Dufferin Library, 1pm. Private
Wednesday June 17 Fergus, Ontario. Victoria Park Senior Centre 150 Albert St. Doors open at 6:45 and the meeting at 7:30 pm. Public
Thursday, June 18 Bloor/Gladstone Library 1101 Bloor Street West Private
Monday June 22 North York Garden Club 7:30 3200 Bayview Avenue ( NW corner of Bayview and Finch). Lower level of St Luke Lutheran Church Public.
July 8 Humber Bay Butterfly Habitat Stewards Private
July 15 Brentwood Brentwood Library, 36 Brentwood Road North, Toronto, Ontario M8X 2B5. Starts at 6:30. Come early to get your seat. Public.
September 10, Palmerston Library, 560 Palmerston Ave., Toronto, M6G 2P7 6:30.
October 31, District 26 Ontario Horticulture Association Fall Education Seminar, Barrie, Ontario. Private
November 27, Richmond Hill Public Library Children’s Fair. Public, but registration is required, and limited to 40 8 and 9 year olds.
2014
March 17, 2014 12:00 pm Canada Blooms. Direct Energy Centre, Toronto. Gardens Solutions Theatre, Salon 102 Hall A. Limited seating, arrive early. Public.
March 1, 2014 David Suzuki Foundation, Toronto 3:00 pm. Private.
2013
April 27, 2013 Innisfil Public Library
May 19, 2013 Private church group.
June 1, 2013 12:00 pm. Evergreen Brickworks
June 10, 2013 Cedarvale Public School
June 14, 2013 Collingwood Public School. Private.
July 9, 2013 Scarborough Horticultural Club, Public.
August 20, 2013 Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital. Private.
September 18, 2013 Keynote speaker, Canadian Hearing Society. Private.