Action Alert: Submit Comments to Protect Monarch Butterflies

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) has proposed to add the monarch butterfly as threatened under the Endangered Species Act and has extended the public comment period until this Monday, May 19.

Monarchs are a high priority for EAC. We hosted an educational exhibit on monarchs, co-founded the Marin Monarch Working Group, and published Marin's Monarch Movement.

Join EAC and a myriad of environmental groups and concerned citizens and tell the USFWS that monarchs should be protected!

Why This Matters

Western monarchs have faced significant population decline since the 1980s - up to 99% have vanished. These butterflies are threatened by pesticides, loss of habitat and the milkweed they exclusively lay eggs on, and climate change.

The situation has only gotten more dire. Recent winter counts have found historic lows of just over 9,000 monarchs. The most recent monarch Species Status Assessment found that by 2080, the probability for western monarch extinction was 95%. 

It's not too late to act. The USFWS's proposal to add monarchs as threatened under the ESA would include species-specific protections to encourage butterfly conservation, as well as a critical habitat designation for overwintering grounds in coastal California. Extending critical federal protections to the monarch butterfly will be essential in the fight for their survival. 

Take Action

1. Submit written comment by Monday, May 19. Read how to submit public comment here.

2. Take action directly through partners, Xerces Society, or SPAWN Restoration Nursery action alerts. 

Learn More

Western Monarch Butterfly Population Crisis: County of Marin Supports Conservation Measures

In honor of California Biodiversity Day, the County of Marin’s Board of Supervisors recognized the need for our communities to support the western monarch butterfly population with conservation efforts.

The Resolution was introduced by District 4 Supervisor, Dennis Rodoni, whose district supports historic overwintering grounds for the butterfly in the coastal villages of Bolinas and Stinson Beach. The fall and winter monarch coastal overwintering phenomenon has been in steep decline since the 1980s as the populations are under stressors from habitat loss, pesticide use, invasive plants, and more.

Marin Bans Sale of Tropical Milkweed!

The sale of tropical milkweed has been a major problem, as the demand by the public to find milkweed to help monarch butterflies means that nurseries are in search of easy to stock options for their customers.

Now, thanks to the advocacy of the Marin Monarch Working Group, the County of Marin announced a ban of the sale of tropical milkweed at all nurseries effective August 24th! Nurseries in Marin will be required to only sell native milkweed varieties including narrowleaf and showy milkweed.

This is an important step to support the western monarch butterfly in Marin County. Native milkweeds are adapted to the life-cycle and rhythm of the butterflies migration as it becomes dormant in the fall. This is a natural signal for the butterfly to make its winter migration to the coast.

Over the next several months, Marin Monarch Working Group partners will be planning to help the local nurseries to ensure that they have enough native narrowleaf and showy milkweed to sell.

Anticipating the Fall Arrival of the Monarch & Actions To Take Now

Fall has arrived and with anticipation we are waiting for the arrival of the western monarch butterfly to their overwintering grounds along the Pacific Coast, typically beginning in September and lasting through February. Unfortunately, the butterflies are in crisis. In the 1980s, it is estimated that there were 4.5 million butterflies counted at overwintering locations along the Pacific Coast. Last year, volunteers counted only 2,000 butterflies along the Pacific Coast. This is a drop of more than 99 percent in the population.

There are many factors contributing to the dramatic decline in monarch butterflies including habitat loss, use of pesticides and toxic chemicals, disease and parasites, and changing conditions related to the climate crisis.

Additionally, well-intentioned individuals can harm monarch butterflies by planting non-native milkweed, like tropical milkweed, that continues to bloom all year and confuses monarchs’ reproductive cycle. Monarchs and milkweed have an important relationship, however, one cannot rely only on planting milkweed to save monarchs. Depending on where you live, milkweed may not be the answer.

Notes from the Field: Western Monarch Conservation and New Films!

Earlier this year, EAC released our report on the western monarch butterfly, Marin’s Monarch Movement, and wanted to share some of the progress being made throughout the County.

Our report helped to inspire a working group who meets monthly to share and coordinate efforts to protect and support the population of western monarch butterflies. This forum is an important gathering place to share information and coordinate on projects.

…In an effort to expand public education, we are happy to release two of EAC’s previously recorded webinars focused on the monarch butterfly that were filmed in March and April 2021. The UC Master Gardeners have created an information video about the western monarch butterfly and what you can do to help the butterfly populations in your backyard.

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