Is Fate Sealed for the Monarch Butterfly? Maybe Not, But the Race is on to Save the Species
Jan 3
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The State of the Monarch
The Monarch butterfly, how are they best described? Majestic, iconic, legendary …
Well, as of December 2024, the US Fish and Wildlife Service proposed listing the Monarch butterfly as a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act and are calling on everybody to help out in restoring their habitats and saving this lovely pollinator!
Each year the Monarch butterfly migrates from as far as Canada to Mexico or California where it enjoys the winter, spending its time pollinating the areas in between. However these areas are under siege and their lack of care is destroying this miraculous insects home.
Since the 1980s the Monarch butterfly population has dropped so drastically with such staggering numbers it's a surprise they’re even still holding on. The eastern monarch population has shrunk 80% in the last 45 years and even worse, the western monarch loss is at about 95%. It’s predicted at this rate by the year 2080 we will have no more Monarchs in our skies — full extinction.
Why is this Important to Us?
Butterflies are big contributors to the pollination scene and if you know about pollinators or have seen the Bee Movie, you understand why it’s not just important but imperative to keep these beautiful little life givers alive. Pollination is a part of the circle of life, and bugs like the butterfly are perfect little companions for the earth to continue that cycle.
When a butterfly lands on a flower similar to a bee, it probes for nectar while the flower is at work covering the butterflies’ body and legs with pollen. Once she’s full, she flys away landing on another flower, releasing the pollen she’s covered in. Now spreading it from one flower to another aiding in the completion of the pollination cycle. Once pollination is complete the plant will get to work on developing a seed so it can eventually pass its life on.
While Monarchs don't account for all butterflies they do account for a unique and highly regarded species of butterfly. Unlike most of this insect that lives and dies in a small area, Monarchs migrate thousands of miles in one of the longest known insect migrations, a trek that takes multiple generations. Which is super impressive when you think about the feat this small bug is accomplishing as a species, this is when that saying "it takes all of us" couldn't apply more. A good life lesson too if you ask me, taught by none other than Mother Nature.
Overwintering in Mexican firs in large clusters for heat and protection is another behavior not shown by other butterflies, as well as the use of milkweed which has exlusive rights to the monarch caterpillars belly!
The Problem
Monarchs are at the risk of no longer being a part of this life cycle process anymore
with their habitats in decline for a handful of avoidable, human created reasons. Some major things posing these threats are immense growth in urbanization, stealing over 2 million acres a year from wild land or the takeover of agricultural use lands with the use of pesticides killing the necessary plants and insects. Also, the unstable & rapid change in our climate causing untimely blooms and unaligned migrations or extreme weather stressing resources and even life. For the eastern monarch they suffer the impending loss of their winter escape due to both legal and illegal logging operations in Mexico, destroying even protected overwintering sites really demonstrating how the people aren’t cutting them any breaks! We are now at the time (and have been for awhile, quite frankly) where everyone is being called on to have a helpful hand in this restoration effort, raising the population of these beautiful, resilient creatures.
The Politics:
I recently attended the first of 2 virtual meetings held by the USFWS on this proposal to put the Monarch on the Threatened list, designating critical habitats. And before going any further, I want to say this proposal came about because some years ago there was a small handful of organizations & 1 person, the late Lincoln P. Brower a lifelong Monarch scientist that came forth to Fish & Wildlife and requested this change.
So to continue, following the agencies presentation there was a public hearing where the community got the chance to make comments. One man came on and said he heard from a handful of prominent people in the Monarch community (I won’t name them) and said they are for “conservation over regulation”. The man finished by saying he simply just wanted to make this comment, however, I couldn’t help but hear some frustration in his voice.
While there is nothing wrong with having a stance on who should be in charge of restoring the monarch population I think we should take advantage of this proposal situation to take the opportunity to consider the timing of this.
They’re [USFWS] saying there's a 99% chance by 2080 the Monarch will be extinct. Let that sink in. Why is a government agency getting involved at this point in the game?
They probably should’ve gotten involved decades ago — and this alludes to another point a different man made at the hearing, that this is potentially just a public stunt for good credit and good looks for the USFWS. While I don’t claim to have all the knowledge on the Monarch downfall, I can say as somebody from the outside looking in, the people should be given the honor to bring this species back to life.
Look at Mexico, those overwintering sites are protected and they’re still logging them — it points to a bigger picture: the people need a better understanding of the importance in life other than their own. I don’t think simply turning this over to the federal government is the best way to better the peoples relationship with this butterfly or even better, further our own evolution in the process. I say, let’s take this opportunity to grow.
That doesn’t mean the government can’t help though, right? They can help fund and partner with people and organizations trying to restore this insect, build educational gardens, promote awareness & education in federal parks that get millions of visitors & social media — it doesn’t need to be designated and protected.
Honestly, JUST PLANT IT! Again “conservation over regulation” — as well as a number of other things that can truly be done in partnership with the people over opting for
regulation and taking governmental control.
This a just a take away from the meeting and would love to hear your thoughts in the comments! The only way to grow and move forward in the best direction is when we all get together and talk about things.
How We Can Help Save the Monarch Butterfly
There is plenty we can do to help save the Monarch and it doesn’t matter who you are and if you live on a farm or in an apartment; do what’s possible for you.
Not sure if you’re in the migration path? Well, if you live in the United States then you’re in prime position to offer your assistance.
First things first, plant milkweed and nectar flowers in a sunny well aerated location, keeping them in close quarters (but not on top of each other) to aid in supplying shelter to the caterpillars & butterflies. You can do this in your home garden, at local schools and businesses, parks, nature or community centers, roadsides, and on other unused parcels of land. With permission of course, let's not go getting ourselves into trouble here.
Make sure your garden gets at least 6 hours of sunlight and try to plant at minimum 10 plants using 2 or more different milkweed species. When you plant more than one kind of milkweed, you have plants flowering and maturing throughout the season giving more of an opportunity for your garden to be used longer. As far as nectar plants, it’s good to have several annual, biennial, or perennials and be sure to check what is native to your area.
Butterflies do like their water too so be sure it’s not too dry and have some way small amounts of rainwater can be retained in the garden. You can plant things like Joe-Pye weed or Echinacea that naturally hold moisture (which is my favorite because it doesn't get anymore natural than that and it shows the oneness in nature, I think), maybe incorporate a bird bath or a pan filled with pebbles and shallow water.
It’s a smart idea to ensure your soil has good drainage and is not too much of a claylike mixture before getting started, if necessary obtain some healthy soil from your local gardening center, even some compost, or make your own living soil! click the picture to the left or find the link at the end for more!
You will want to keep up with any garden maintenance over time, such things like weeding/thinning, fertilizing, mulching, watering if needed could make or break your garden.
Spending time with your garden holds some of the best benefits from having it in the first place! Take advanage of that and enjoy the time connecting and caring for your new family.
Remember, you get what you give, so give that garden some love and keep it thriving!
At last, if you plant in an area that allows, consider putting a park bench in there and let the community enjoy your flowers & its new visitors.
You can also load up some flower boxes and put them on your balcony or window if your location calls for it!
Something else I just learned about the other day; this is in the Netherlands I believe and is called Tegelwippen. Basically what they do is hold a competition style initiative where different towns try to remove as many bricks as possible from within their community to turn concrete into garden. The town with the most number bricks removed wins the award at the end of the year and at this point these folks collectively have removed over 200 soccer fields worth of pavers! Seeing how other parts of the world are taking part in things like this certainly gives me enthusiasm and hope for our planets future.
Similar things are done here in the US and this is a super awesome project for our city dwellers! Of course, please get proper permission when trying to do something like this.
Another way we can help restore Monarch habitats is by eliminating or greatly limiting our pesticide and insecticide use. There are plenty of natural, organic ways to garden — perhaps that’s a blog for another time. However, if you absolutely have to use these chemicals, avoid spraying when pollinators are active and go for a spot treatment or targeted application opposed to blanketing everything.
A more natural gardening approach may be trickier at first but is really rewarding & important in making an effort to save the species. Plus it can be something fun for you to learn the intricacies of farming/gardening with the Earth and not just on it. I've personally enjoyed the curve and look forward to doing more and more organically each year in my personal garden!
Those of you interested in the more science-y side of this effort, you can help organizations track the population size, migration patterns and habitat usage by observing and reporting to sites like Monarch Watch, Journey North, Western Monarch Milkweed Mapper, Monarch Joint Venture and more.
Take advantage of all these awesome resources! Links below.
Lastly, if this effort really speaks to you, you can donate to organizations or contribute your time by volunteering in projects that undergo habitat restoration work. You can even talk to your friends and family about this issue, maybe you will mobilize the troops to take action in planting gardens, spreading the word and restoring our Monarch population.
Worth a try, right?
Take action
Here is a link to buy some milkweed seeds. Remember to be sure you’re getting the proper plants!
Northeast: common milkweed, swamp milkweed, butterfly milkweed, poke milkweed
South Central: antelope horn milkweed, green antelope horn milkweed, zizotes milkweed
Southeast: aquatic milkweed, white milkweed, butterfly milkweed
West: showy milkweed, antelope horn milkweed (only in NV, AZ, NM, CO, ID, KS, and OK)
Here is a link to our events page, check back to participate in an upcoming restoration event this summer!
Thanks for reading and happy planting!
