Red Planet Planning Commission is a theoretical space program that explores ideas for the distribution of human compost and insects to Mars as the first step in creating a self-sustaining environment. Our practical programs here on Earth focuses on the interconnectivity of select systems. We begin with Monarch Butterfly restoration, Green Memorial Grounds and riding Bicycles.

Why should I care about monarch butterflies? Why are they important?

Monarch butterflies contribute to the health and sustainability of our planet by pollinating a vast variety of wildflowers. They are an important, yet endangered pollinating species as well as a dwindling food source for many birds, small animals and other insects.

Why are they not doing well right now?

Monarch caterpillars and butterflies have been declining since 1985 and have dropped by 80 percent since 2005 through most of the US and Mexico. As of this year the West Coast population has become endangered. Part of the reason is global warming and its effects, such as wildfires. One of the more predominate yet manageable reasons for their massive decline is the shrinking native milkweed populations and a boost in glyphosate use in the Midwest. Monarchs lay their eggs on milkweed. Glyphosate is an herbicide often applied to agricultural fields to eliminate weeds. It is lethal to milkweed, the monarch butterfly’s host plant. Without milkweed the monarch butterflies cannot reproduce. 

Where in the world can they be found?

Each year monarch butterflies migrate from Canada through the US to Mexico. It is one of Earth’s great migrations. A single monarch butterfly will travel thousands of miles to their overwintering locations in central Mexico. In the spring they will migrate from Mexico back to Canada. It takes 4 generations for the butterflies to make the journey North. There are butterflies that share the monarch label in other countries, but centuries of reproductive isolation has led to subspeciation of these populations. Monarchs have also been introduced to other parts of the world, such as Australia in the mid-19th century, where they have flourished. This was made possible by the introduction of milkweed. The monarch butterflies of the Americas are a unique and fascinating species. 

What can I do to help them?

Native milkweed restoration is step #1, but it doesn't work by itself. There are many beautiful flowering plants that butterflies feed from during their travels. Plant flowers, be sure to favor native plants and only plant native milkweed. There are several species of milkweed that are native to different areas. Planting a non-native variety would disrupt the monarch migration pattern and cause them harm. 

Why are creating more bike routes important?

Cities that accommodate bicycles above automobiles are cleaner, safer and create a healthier environment for everyone. There are cities in the US that offer bike lanes as alternatives, but unfortunately these bike lanes are used for alternative parking by truck drivers and motorists, forcing cyclists farther into traffic. On country roads a motorist driving slowly behind a cyclist for fear of risking collision with oncoming traffic can result in hostility toward cyclists. It is dangerous, even life threatening, to force cyclists and motorists to share the same route. As more people ride bikes more attention will be given to cycling and as a result alternative and safer accommodations will be created. This will provide a healthier alternative for everyone. 

What is a "green burial"? Why is it better than regular burials or cremation?

There are three standards that define a green burial. There can be no embalming, no vaults, and all burial containers or shrouds must be biodegradable. 

There are 3 categories of cemetery that are recognized as green burial grounds. 

 A “conservation cemetery,” such as our affiliates the Prairie Creek Conservation Cemetery in Gainesville, FL. is a natural burial ground on lands protected by a recognized conservation land trust entity. 

 A privately owned “natural burial ground” will preserve and often enhance their lands by fostering or reintroducing native plants.

 A “hybrid cemetery” will offer green burial as an alternative. Green burial is legal in all 50 states. 

To build typical modern cemeteries, indigenous plants, animals and ecosystems are removed and replaced with lawns and concrete.  

Every year the US uses enough concrete to build burial vaults (grave linings) to lay a 2-lane highway halfway across the US.

Every year the US uses enough metal for caskets to rebuild the Golden Gate Bridge.

The average 10-acre cemetery contains enough coffin wood to build more than 40 homes.

The typical embalmed body contains an average of 3 pounds of toxic, environmentally hazardous and cancer-causing chemicals. 

To cremate, an average body must remain in an oven for approximately 2 1/2 hours at 1,800 degrees Fahrenheit. The majority of the remains are sent through a chimney in the form of environmental toxins, which include mercury. Alternative cremations demand less from our environment, but still demand something while giving nothing in return. 

By combining green burial with native milkweed and monarch butterfly restoration we are sending butterflies to memorial services. It’s a love letter.

What is the origin of the Red Planet Planning Commission?

The Red Planet Planning Commission is an idea that is introduced in the film Deep Astronomy and the Romantic Sciences. (Release date TBD)  Screenings of the film are being considered for potential public events as part of the I_Butterfly festival.

What's "Deep Astronomy & the Romantic Sciences" about?

Synopsis: Grace is a robot sitting alone in a corner of a nightclub. In two days she will be launched into space as a time capsule where she will represent humanity based on a generalization created from all social media and wireless communications. Before leaving she must validate her calculations by interacting with a human. Rudy is a young man out for a good time. In an attempt to amuse his friends he sits with Grace to have a conversation. The conversation changes when he realizes her purpose and that he is on trial. 

Deep Astronomy and the Romantic Sciences is a feature film that was produced through a global arts collaborative created by writer/director Cory McAbee. The film has been developed in part through the Sundance Film Festival’s New Frontier Story Lab. Events have been featured and documented at the New York Film Festival, Reykjavik International Film Festival, 36th Stage Songs Review (Wroclaw, Poland), Séance Magazine Festival (Saint Petersburg, RU), Unknown Pleasures Festival (Berlin), Marfa Film Festival (TX), and at theaters, museums, galleries, night clubs, pubs and universities throughout the world. It has been created without a budget. All efforts have been voluntary. 

What do you hope to accomplish with this bike ride?

The RED PLANET PLANNING COMMISSION is a story-driven conservation and environmental restoration project. A story-driven approach to ecology is an invitation for audience participation without the guilt and fear commonly associated with environmental issues. It is an approach that inhibits compassion fatigue. 

The RED PLANET PLANNING COMMISSION is creating narratives by unifying multiple environmental concerns; issues that are not typically connected but do in fact have an effect on one another. Our latest project, I_Butterfly is a bike-touring event where the participants become the story. When participants see monarch butterflies while en route they will develop a personal connection to one of earth’s great migrations by sharing the mutual path. 

Route options are being planned for the West Coast, the Midwest and the East Coast. An East Coast tour is being planned for founder Cory McAbee and anyone who would like to join him at any point along the way. McAbee will begin his ride in Maine and end at the Prairie Creek Conservation Cemetery in Gainesville, FL. where native milkweed has recently been reintroduced in connection with our project. Public events such as film screenings will be scheduled at select locations along the route.