The United States has proposed an initiative to list the monarch butterfly as a threatened species, a move officials say could provide a clear pathway to recover this unique and vital insect.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) has suggested adding the monarch butterfly, native to North America, to the list of threatened species to protect it and combat its alarming population decline.
According to the National Wildlife Federation (NWF), this proposal could open the door to increased resources, coordination, and research aimed at saving the species. “This initiative offers a clear opportunity to recover one of North America’s most iconic species,” the organization said in a statement.
The federal agency plans to formalize the proposal on Thursday, December 12, after which a public comment period will run until March 12. If adopted, the protections could go into effect later next year, enabling USFWS to work closely with scientists, government agencies, Native American tribes, conservation groups, and private landowners to address the crisis.
Challenges Facing the Monarch Butterfly
The monarch butterfly has been dramatically impacted by climate change, habitat loss, and pesticide overuse. These factors have significantly disrupted its migration and survival. In the U.S., monarchs are divided into two populations: one winters in the mountainous forests of central Mexico, while the other primarily winters along California’s coast.
In the 1990s, millions of monarchs thrived across North America. However, the most recent 2023 survey recorded just 233,394 monarchs at over 200 sites—a stark contrast to their historical abundance. In Mexico, the area occupied by overwintering monarchs shrank from 2.2 hectares to just 0.9 hectares last year, marking the second-lowest recorded level.
These declines have prompted the USFWS to consider protecting the monarch under the Endangered Species Act—a law hailed by the NWF as one of the nation’s most effective conservation tools. The act has been credited with preventing the extinction of 99% of the species it has listed.
“This proposal is a crucial step forward,” said NWF President Collin O’Mara. “It gives us a chance to reduce the threats this species faces and secure its future. The monarch’s survival is in our hands.”
What Listing the Monarch Butterfly as Threatened Could Mean
If the monarch butterfly is officially classified as a threatened species, it would gain access to targeted protections under the Endangered Species Act. This designation would enable the federal government to mobilize greater resources and coordinate conservation efforts across a wide spectrum of stakeholders.
Public engagement is also central to this initiative. The USFWS has invited comments and suggestions from individuals, organizations, and other stakeholders until March 12, 2025. Based on these inputs, the agency will determine whether the monarch butterfly will be officially listed as threatened.
“Science tells us that the monarch needs our help,” said Martha Williams, Director of the USFWS. “This proposal is not just about listing a species but about fostering unprecedented public participation to guide the conservation efforts of this iconic pollinator.”
A Migration Marvel at Risk
The monarch butterfly’s annual migration is one of nature’s most awe-inspiring phenomena. Each fall, these delicate creatures travel over 4,000 kilometers from Canada and the United States to the oyamel fir forests of Michoacán, Mexico. However, climate change is disrupting this journey, altering temperatures in their migratory routes and wintering grounds, leading to increased mortality.
Agricultural practices also pose significant risks. Herbicides used to clear fields destroy milkweed—the monarch’s primary food source. Deforestation and urban sprawl further threaten the butterfly’s habitats.
In light of these threats, the U.S. proposal represents a vital lifeline for the monarch butterfly. By increasing resources, fostering research, and coordinating conservation efforts, this initiative offers a renewed hope for the survival of one of North America’s most treasured species.
