Many of our natural areas – including wildlife refuges, rangelands, national forests and grasslands, rights of ways, as well as parks and other open spaces in towns and cities provide habitat for monarch butterflies to eat, lay eggs, and take shelter. The Xerces Society has developed a variety of tools for managers of natural areas to facilitate managing and enhancing habitat for monarch butterflies.
Milkweed to feed caterpillars
Nectar plants to fuel breeding and migration
Overwintering habitat
Protection from pesticides and diseases
Manage Habitat for Monarchs and Other Pollinators
From years of habitat restoration work we know that, whenpollinators have access to high-quality habitat, properly managed and protected from pesticides, biodiversity increases and populations improve. Learn more about management practices that support and protect pollinators.
Plant Milkweed
Visit our Project Milkweed page to find regional milkweed guides, and use our Milkweed Seed Finder to locate seed and plant sources.
Plant Monarch Nectar Sources
One of the most significant actions you can take to support monarch populations is providing nectar-rich flowers and milkweed host plants. Our Monarch Nectar Plant Lists identify the best plants for providing nectar sources for adult monarchs in your area.
Western Monarch Conservation Resources
While the Xerces Society engages in monarch conservation efforts across North America, partnering with leaders in the U.S., Mexico, and Canada - a significant amount of our work focuses on monarch populations in western states. Learn more about the unique conservation needs of monarchs in the west.
