How You Can Help
1. Plant Milkweed: As the sole food source for monarch caterpillars, planting milkweed in your garden or outdoor space is crucial. Monarchs lay their eggs exclusively on milkweed plants, and the caterpillars rely on them for nourishment.
2. Create Butterfly-Friendly Habitats: In addition to milkweed, planting native nectar- rich flowers provides food for adult butterflies. This helps sustain their populations throughout their life cycle.
3. Avoid Pesticides and Herbicides: Monarch butterflies are highly sensitive to pesticides and herbicides. Avoiding the use of these chemicals helps protect the butterflies and their caterpillars from harm. Monarch butterflies are currently facing a significant decline in population due to habitat loss, climate change, and pesticide use.
4. Make a donation to any of the following organizations:
* saveourmonarchs.org
* xerces.org/monarchs
* globalgiving.org/donate/11424/monarch-butterfly-fund/
According to the Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation, the Eastern population of butterflies experienced a decline of over 80% from the 1990's to the early 2000s.
In 2014, the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Services (USFWS) identified monarch butterflies as a candidate for protection under the Endangered Species Act. Their situation highlights the urgency of taking action to protect and conserve these iconic butterflies.