"Researchers and community scientists estimate that only a fraction of the population remains—a decline of approximately 70% has been seen in central Mexico and a decline of >90% has been seen in California” according to Xerces Society.
From changes in climate, to widespread use of herbicides, there is a loss of milkweed (the only plant in which the butterflies lay their eggs) and other nectar plants essential to feeding adult monarchs (WWF). Monarchs require a large and healthy forest to protect them from winds, rain, and low temperatures, too.
Though the statistics may seem grim, there are ways we can help! Here’s What you can do:
Participate in the tri-national International Monarch Monitoring Blitz this summer. Report monarchs any time of year in any country to iNaturalist or another monarch community science program.
Discover milkweed and nectar plants native to your region and plant a pollinator garden.
Reduce your reliance on pesticides and make change in your community, nursery, home, farm, and more.
Read more about Xerces’ monarch conservation campaign, including efforts to conserve overwintering sites in California and restore breeding habitat in key regions of the United States.