Feature image: A monarch butterfly with an ironweed plant

As a child, one of my most magical  experiences was releasing a flutter of monarch butterflies. I remember watching them swirl around each other as they floated off to a wildflower meadow, their bright wings against the blue sky. I was connected to these butterflies specifically—we raised them in my first-grade class, watching them grow from egg to caterpillar to chrysalis to winged insect. Together, we learned about this iconic species’ lifecycle and their important role in our ecosystem. In that moment of release, I got it. This beautiful insect matters deeply. I continue to think about the impact our actions have on this species and others like them. Experiencing personal connections to nature helps build a deeper appreciation for the world around us, encouraging us to take care of it and all the species that cohabit the Earth with us. 

With striking black and orange wings, the monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus) is one of the most iconic insect species in the world. It captivates us with its annual migration. Every fall in North America, millions of monarch butterflies brave the journey from Canada and the northern United States to California and Mexico. This multi-generation trip can span a distance up to 4,500 kilometres, a migration that is in fact crucial since they would not survive the cold, harsh northern winters. When spring returns and temperatures begin to rise again, the monarchs journey back from where they came, seeking milkweed-abundant breeding habitats. Monarchs are the only known butterfly species to undertake a two-way migration of this scale. 

‘Flagship species’ are charismatic animals or plants that act as ambassadors for environmental causes and help raise awareness for conservation efforts. The iconic monarch butterfly is easily recognisable and can be considered a flagship species for the conservation of native pollinators. These other pollinators may not be as well known or as charismatic as monarchs, and therefore may not be prioritised in conservation efforts. 

Fortunately, many pollinators can benefit from the representation and awareness that a flagship species can bring to issues like habitat destruction, herbicide and pesticide use, and the effects of climate change. In North America, 22.6 percent of native pollinator species are at risk of extinction. Species such as the rusty patched bumble bee (Critically Endangered) and Karner blue butterfly (Endangered) are negatively impacted by herbicide and pesticide use, as well as habitat loss. Without local conservation efforts, these species may not survive for much longer. But by championing monarchs, we also open the door to giving quieter, less visible but vital species a second chance at life.

Threatened or not?

Since the 1990s, monarch populations have decreased at an alarming rate. Research suggests that the eastern population has declined by up to 84 percent, whereas the western population has declined by up to 99 percent. Even with this rapid decline in numbers, the conservation status of monarch butterflies remains heavily debated. As of 2022, the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) lists the monarch butterfly as Endangered. Despite this endangered status, monarchs do not receive federal protections under the Endangered Species Act in the US. In December 2024, the US Fish and Wildlife Service proposed that the monarch butterfly be listed as a threatened species under this act, which would grant the monarch special protections. This proposal would safeguard their habitats and recognise the loss of overwintering and breeding sites as a main driver of their population decline. 

In Canada, monarch butterflies already carry an endangered status under the Species at Risk Act. With this designation, monarchs are protected from capture or killing on all federal land, such as national parks and nature reserves, within the country. The act also works for the preservation of monarch breeding habitats. So, long story short: what is the conservation status of monarch butterflies? It depends on who you ask.

Despite the debate over their conservation status, scientists agree that monarch populations are in trouble. As mentioned earlier, the threats driving their decline are similar to those affecting other pollinators: habitat loss, pesticide and herbicide use, and climate change. All these threats are anthropogenic, meaning human activity is causing population declines in these species.

Milkweed is at the heart of the monarch butterfly’s lifecycle. It is the sole habitat and food source for monarch larvae. But across North America, agricultural intensification means more land development, indiscriminate pesticide and herbicide use, and shrinking monarch habitat. Specifically in the midwestern United States, corn and soybean production are overtaking patches of essential milkweed. 

From the mid-1990s to the mid-2010s, an estimated 860 million milkweed plants were removed to make room for agricultural production. One of the main methods of “weed” removal is the use of glyphosate herbicides, which do not affect the genetically modified monocrops the farmers grow. In killing any remaining milkweed or flowering plants in the area, herbicides eliminate food sources and suitable habitats for pollinators. 

It’s also important to note that not all milkweed species are considered equal. While monarch butterflies prefer native species such as common milkweed, butterfly weed, or swamp milkweed, there are non-native milkweed species that cause more harm than good. Tropical milkweed, for example, does not die in the winter as native milkweed does, so monarchs may breed at the wrong time of the year, disrupting their migration patterns. Additionally, tropical milkweed may contain parasites such as Ophryocystis elektroscirrha, a single-celled protozoan, which can cause deformities or disease in monarch larvae, and impact other pollinators. With a loss of food plants and habitat and an increase in disease, the landscape is increasingly hostile to pollinator survival. It’s no wonder that so many are on the brink of extinction. 

In the wintering grounds of Mexico and California, changing weather patterns add another layer of unpredictability for monarchs. Severe storms, wildfires, and drought, especially in California, have had an extremely negative impact on forests which not only support monarchs during the winter months, but also other pollinators. Birds such as black-backed orioles and black-headed grosbeaks feed on nectar, seeds, nuts, and berries, aiding in the pollination and seed dispersal of native plants and trees. Losing these species can have knock-on effects on the entire ecosystem. 

These sites are also experiencing extreme temperature changes, leading to mass mortality events in monarch populations. Colder, wetter nights are causing the dew on butterfly wings to freeze, thus immobilising and killing the monarchs. Current research suggests that shifting weather patterns could make these overwintering sites uninhabitable by 2050. Adding to this, logging in Mexico’s oyamel fir forests is further fragmenting and shrinking the winter sanctuaries monarchs depend on. 

What’s being done?

With limited federal regulations to protect the monarch butterfly population in the United States, local communities and non-profit organisations on both sides of the border have taken the reins for their conservation. In Mexico, over 560 sq. kilometres of land have been designated as monarch butterfly sanctuaries to protect overwintering sites, with most of this area being part of the Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve in the state of Michoacán. 

Several organisations such as Forests for Monarchs and Alternare are committed to replanting trees in overwintering sites to ensure that monarchs have safe and suitable habitats during their non-breeding season.They also work with local residents to build conservation awareness. Their programmes invite students of all ages to help with reforestation by visiting planting sites and learning about tree health, turning conservation into a hands-on experience. Engaging with local communities increases their connection to pollinators and the environment, fostering stewardship and increased action. Ultimately, protecting monarchs also strengthens the resilience of hummingbirds, white-tailed deer, and countless other species that share their habitats. 

There is good news: recent studies have shown that eastern monarch butterfly populations are starting to increase again due to community conservation efforts. However, this is just the beginning, and there is more work to be done. Planting native milkweed remains one of the most effective ways to support the survival of monarchs, along with increasing the abundance of other flowering plants. These nectar sources will also support other pollinators. A pollinator garden—whether spread across a large yard or clustered in your balcony pots—creates lifelines for many species. 

Even if you do not have the means to plant your own pollinator garden, supporting local conservation initiatives is a great way to aid in these efforts. Many municipalities are creating community pollinator gardens, bringing residents together over their love of nature. Avoiding the use of herbicides and pesticides is another great way to help pollinator populations thrive. If absolutely necessary, opting for more natural-based remedies over harmful chemicals is ideal. 

Most importantly, an increased diversity of native plants and pollinators ensures a happy, healthy ecosystem. Our small, personal actions can have a real impact on monarch butterfly populations. Whether volunteering with local conservation groups or simply tending to pollinator-friendly plants at home, each step creates ripples. For me, it began with a first-grade butterfly release. For all of us, it can begin with an equally simple moment of care for nature.

Further Reading

Cornelisse, T., D. W. Inouye, R. E. Irwin, S. Jepsen, J. R. Mawdsley, M. Ormes, J. Daniels et al. 2025. Elevated extinction risk in over one-fifth of native North American pollinators. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences 122(14): e2418742122.

Lewandowski, E. J., and K. S. Oberhauser. 2017. Contributions of citizen scientists and habitat 

volunteers to monarch butterfly conservation. Human Dimensions of Wildlife 22(1): 55–70.

Preston, S. D., J. D. Liao, T. P. Toombs, R. Romero-Canyas, J. Speiser and C. M. Seifert. 2021. A case study of a conservation flagship species: the monarch butterfly. Biodiversity and Conservation 30: 2057–2077.