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Monarch Butterflies

Monarch Butterflies

‘I see a monarch! Oh my God!’: The joy (and importance) of counting butterflies
13. November 2023
California milkweed plant
Top 5 Ways Californians Can Help Western Monarchs
8. November 2023
Mia Monroe inspecting a milkweed plant
The Monarch Whisperer: Mia Monroe's Data-Driven Devotion
2. November 2023
Milkweed seeds in a bin and in someone's hands
Growing the Supply of Hard-to-Find Milkweeds
31. October 2023
Monarch butterflies appear to be everywhere these days. Is the crisis over?
30. October 2023
Early-season California milkweed
Why Monarchs Need Early-Season Milkweeds
12. October 2023
Hundreds of monarchs in the sky near overwintering sites in Mexico
5 Monarch Migration Facts
10. October 2023
Monarch caterpillar on narrowleaf milkweed (Asclepias fascicularis). (Photo: Xerces Society / Stephanie McKnight)
Keep Monarchs Wild: Why Captive Rearing Isn’t the Way to Help Monarchs
15. June 2023
Monarch Wishing Tree holding up hundreds of wooden butterflies
California Garden Center Leads by Example with Monarch Wishing Tree
1. June 2023
Monarch drinking nectar from purple coneflower
What is a Monarch’s Favorite Nectar Plant? Scientists are Seeking Your Observations
6. April 2023
A cluster of overwintering monarchs
New Year’s Count of Western Monarchs Reveals High Seasonal Decrease Following Severe Winter Storms
2. March 2023
Monarch butterflies wintering in California rebound
23. February 2023
Noah Raven
Member Noah Raven's Empathy for Monarch Butterflies is Contagious
7. December 2022
Western monarchs rebound but still below historic population
30. November 2022
With a little human help, this butterfly is back - at least this year
30. November 2022
Western monarch populations grew over 100-fold in 2021. Why?
30. November 2022
Western monarchs overwintering in California 2021-2022 (Photo: Jessica Griffiths)
New Year’s Count of Western Monarchs Tracks Population Decline During Overwintering Season
2. March 2022
Volunteers count monarchs in Pacific Grove Monarch Butterfly Sanctuary, December 2021 (Photo: Candy Sarikonda)
Western Monarch Thanksgiving Count tallies nearly 250,000 butterflies
24. January 2022
Monarchs at a private overwintering site in Monterey county, CA
Monarchs at the Pacific Grove Butterfly Sanctuary in Pacific Grove, CA
The Bounciness of Butterflies
12. November 2021
An area of grassland has been set on fire on purpose. Brown smoke rises into the blue sky from the orange flames that mark the division between the burned and unburned grassland. The burned area to the left is black, the unburned are to the right is green with tall brown stems. A fire manager wearing yellow cloths and a blue helmet is walking along the line of fire.
Burning the Land
28. October 2021
Two women stand beside a farm field. One has a black shirt and pale brown pant. The other black pants and a pale brown shirt and is wearing a broad-brimmed hat and carries an orange bag. A strip of brown grass stretches down the edge of the field. Beside the field is an orchard of trees with white trunks and green leaves. In the distance is a green barn and houses with red roofs, and beyond them hills rising toward the blue sky.
The Value of Conservation Planning
28. September 2021
A photo of a desert landscape. In the background, brown hills dotted with green shrbs rise toward the blue sky. In the foreground, flowers are in bloom. A row of low shrubs coverd in white flowers stretches away from the viewer toward a clump of short trees.
Climate News: Nature-Based Climate Solutions Address Climate Change and Support Pollinators
25. August 2021
A photo that shows a cross section of soil on the side of a pit. The soil is dark brown and crumbling into lumps. The upper part of the photo shows the pale brown straw of the crop growing in the field, and the scuffed brown boots of a farmer.
Pollinator Conservation Program Digest – August 2021
18. August 2021
Monarch butterfly numbers have plunged. This project near Modesto could help them
10. July 2021
Gently undulating rangeland stretches to the horizon. The silver-grey leaves of plants show between the green grass. In the distance a cluster of farm buildings sit in the shelter of trees. Brown and black cattle graze.
Great Plains Rangelands Are Important Habitat for Pollinators
24. June 2021
A cluster of several dozen orange-and-black monarch butterflies rest on the branches of a pine tree
Applying a Holistic Approach to Monarch Conservation
22. April 2021
A group of men and women stand in the middle of an old hayfield discussing plans for restoring wildflowers.
Pollinator Conservation Program Digest – March 2021
10. March 2021
Two orange-and-black monarch butterflies drink nectar on yellow-and-red colored flowers. The flowers are tropical milkweed, a non-native plant that should not be grown to help monarchs.
Resident Monarch Populations on the Rise in California: What Does this Mean for the Western Migratory Population?
1. March 2021
Graph showing results from surveys of overwintering monarchs in California. The number of monarchs has fallen for several years, so the height of the bars gets shorter and shorter to the right of the graph
Fifth Annual Western Monarch New Year’s Count Confirms Continued Decline in Western Monarch Population
1. March 2021
Orange-and-black monarch butterflies cling to the green branches of tress and fly in the blue sky
Monarch Numbers from Mexico Point to Declining Population
26. February 2021
Well wrapped against the winter weather, two people walk across a snow-covered field of stubble scattering wildflower seed
Pollinator Conservation Program Digest – February 2021
2. February 2021
"Western Monarch Thanksgiving Count Data 1997-2020 shows that despite a strong volunteer effort, monarch numbers are at the lowest point recorded since the count started in 1997"
Western Monarch Population Closer to Extinction as the Wait Continues for Monarchs’ Protection Under the Endangered Species Act
19. January 2021
Plant trays containing thousands of seedlings are laid out on the ground.
Pollinator Conservation Program Digest – December 2020
9. December 2020
Three young men use shovels to help plant a new tree in the middle of a grove
Planning and Planting for the Future of Monarchs in California
2. December 2020
A handful of monarch butterflies with wings closed rest on the long gray-green leaves of eucalyptus
Monarch Population in California Spirals to Another Record Low
30. November 2020
An orange and black monarch butterfly drinks nectar from the creamy-white flowers of mule fat
Western Monarch Breeding Season Status
23. September 2020
A man kneels beside a tray of wildflower seedlings, carefully removing each one in readiness for planting them.
Supporting Community Efforts to Create Monarch and Pollinator Habitat in California
26. August 2020
Pale pink flowers of narrow-leaf milkweed growing beside a tomato field in California's Central Valley.
Pale pink flowers of narrow-leaf milkweed growing beside a tomato field in California's Central Valley.
Science Notes: How Pesticide Sampling Can Help Restore Imperiled Western Monarchs
4. June 2020
Artist Jane Kim of Ink Dwell studio paints the wing of a giant monarch butterfly, part of the Midnight Dream mural in downtown Orlando, Florida.
Migrating Murals
22. May 2020
Monarchs stand close together on muddy ground on the edge of a puddle.
Monarchs stand close together on muddy ground on the edge of a puddle.
Monarchs Overwintering in Mexico Down 53%
13. March 2020
A monarch with large pieces missing from both wings perches on an evergreen branch.
New Year’s Count Finds Continued Decline of Monarchs Overwintering in California
4. March 2020
A long line of people of diverse ages, genders, and races are all sporting bright yellow and black-striped bee outfits in an outdoor festival setting.
Evolution in Attitudes Leads to Greater Interest in Pollinator Conservation
24. February 2020
In this hand-drawn/hand-painted image, a grove of trees is shown, with a cut stump and a dead monarch with tattered wings in the foreground.
The Vanishing Butterfly Groves of California
27. January 2020
A monarch clings to the trunk of a tree in a dimly-lit landscape.
Thanksgiving Count Shows Western Monarchs Need Our Help More than Ever
23. January 2020
In this close-up photo, a monarch perches atop a cluster of small, white and pink flowers. The image is so detailed, you can see the eye of the monarch, and the scales on its wings.
Monarch and Pollinator Habitat Kits Designed to Support Imperiled Western Monarchs
10. December 2019
A monarch butterfly perches atop a stalk of purple flowers with thread-like petals sticking out in various directions.
DeWind Alumnae Publish Three New Research Papers about Monarch Butterflies
6. November 2019
In this landscape image, rows of green, leafy trees are on the left, and on the right are blossoming cover crops of various colors. There is also blue sky and puffy clouds to round out this idyllic scene.
Pollinator Conservation Program Digest – October 2019
29. October 2019
With wings spread, a monarch butterfly basks on a milkweed plant among the stems of a tulle marsh.
Western Monarchs: Notes from the Field
21. October 2019
What We're Doing to Conserve Endangered Species
1. October 2019
Rugged mountains and pine trees, some reddish brown and some green, are shown in this Colorado landscape.
Pollinator Conservation Program Digest – September 2019
25. September 2019
A blue butterfly stands out against a backdrop of green foliage.
Insects Lose as Trump Administration Weakens the Endangered Species Act
29. August 2019
Two monarchs' wings overlap as they stand back end to back end, mating.
Community Science Powers New Western Monarch Studies
30. July 2019
A beautiful, bright orange monarch perches atop bright pink milkweed blossoms.
Working to Conserve Monarchs from Coast to Coast
21. June 2019
A tiny monarch egg can be seen in a cluster of pink milkweed blossoms.
New iNaturalist Project Makes it Easier to Submit Data to the Western Monarch Milkweed Mapper
7. June 2019
An orange and black monarch nectars on the orange flowers of butterfly milkweed (Asclepias tuberosa).
How to Support Monarch Butterfly Conservation—During Earth Week and Beyond!
27. April 2019
Monarch butterfly flying above milkweed.
Community Scientists Can Help Support Imperiled Western Monarchs
12. March 2019
A group of scientists taking a photo together, including Emma Pelton, our monarch specialist.
Photo Essay: Trinational Monarch Meeting and Exploring Mexico’s Monarch Overwintering Sites
7. March 2019
A western monarch rests on the side of a tree with furrowed bark.
New Year’s Count of Western Monarchs Confirms Decline, Trends Seen in Previous Years
5. February 2019
A monarch clings to the trunk of a tree in a dimly-lit landscape.
Record Low Number of Overwintering Monarch Butterflies in California—They Need Your Help!
17. January 2019
A monarch, with its wings folded, showing the duller orange side, clings to a rough tree trunk in a dimly-lit landscape.
Early Thanksgiving Counts Show a Critically Low Monarch Population in California
29. November 2018
A bright orange monarch with a torn wing perches on some pink milkweed blossoms in a grassy, dry landscape.
Western Monarch Numbers Expected to Be Low this Year
15. November 2018
A large creamy-yellow-and-black butterfly rests atop a pale purple flower.
The Striking Beauty of Oklahoma’s Butterflies
9. November 2018
A man stands among flowering shrubs that nearly dwarf and obscure him, and that are filled with nectaring monarchs!
Lincoln Brower: A Life Well Spent
31. July 2018
Cluster of western monarchs overwintering in California
Managing Monarch Habitat in the West
5. July 2018
Monarchs cluster on pine branches, which are backed by blue sky. The butterflies with folded wings are more drab in color, appearing to be dead leaves at first glance. The butterflies with their wings spread display a vibrant orange hue.
Western Monarch Overwintering Site Management
4. July 2018
Managing Roadsides and Rights-of-Way for Monarchs
4. July 2018
Managing Working Lands for Monarchs
4. July 2018
Managing Natural Lands for Monarchs
4. July 2018
Monarch Conservation in Gardens, Towns, and Cities
4. July 2018
Eastern Monarch Conservation
4. July 2018
Western Monarch Conservation
4. July 2018
Monarchs in Decline
4. July 2018
An orange monarch stands out against a dark green backdrop.
Monarch Butterfly Conservation
3. July 2018
milkweed
Native Milkweeds
21. June 2018
A monarch nectars on multiple, purple, fluffy flowers growing on a stalk.
Monarch Nectar Plant Guides
18. June 2018
A western monarch rests on a white flower amid a dry, grassy field.
Managing for Monarchs in the West
1. May 2018
Leafcutter bee on a red and yellow blanketflower.
10 Ways to Celebrate Earth Day
20. April 2018
A graphic has a circle with a line through it superimposed over tropical milkweed, with its characteristic red and yellow flowers.
Tropical Milkweed—a No-Grow
19. April 2018
overwintering monarchs
Second New Year's Count Supports Monarchs' Movement Between Sites
7. March 2018
A bright orange and black monarch perches on dry flowers in a tan field.
Newly Released Monarch Overwintering Site Management Plan Provides Blueprint for Protecting and Managing Monarch Groves
2. March 2018
A lone monarch in shadow perches atop fluffy, pink blossoms.
Very Low Numbers of Monarchs Overwintering in California may Reflect an Unusual Fall
2. February 2018
pismo beach monarch grove
From the Field: Counting Monarchs in Pismo Beach
29. November 2017
golden crownbeard
Autumn Pollinators in Oklahoma
14. November 2017
milkweed seed pod
pod
Harvesting Milkweed Seed: a Pod and a Plan
7. September 2017
field of milkweed
1.3 Billion Stems of Milkweed Needed in Midwest to Recover Monarch Population
29. June 2017
monarch cluster
First New Year’s Monarch Count Completed
9. June 2017
Monarchs cluster on an evergreen tree branch.
2017 Monarch Numbers Are Down, Lengthening a Worrying Trend
9. February 2017
monarch cluster
The Western Monarch Thanksgiving Count at 20: A record volunteer effort, but disappointing butterfly numbers
7. February 2017
A dense cluster of monarchs, with their bright orange hues shining, cling to a deep green pine branch.
Western Monarch Conservation: A 40 Year History
5. February 2017
monarch
To Save Monarchs, We Need More than Just Milkweed
7. December 2016
Multiple clusters of monarchs gather on the branches of trees.
Five Lesser-Known Places to See Monarchs Overwintering in California
23. November 2016
Monarch butterfly drinking nectar from flowers of narrowleaf milkweed.
Monarch Butterflies in the Western United States
20. July 2016
asclepias speciosa
Monarch & Milkweed Workshops Engage Public Land Managers in Western States
20. July 2016
monarchs in flight
Monarchs Overwintering in Coastal California Show Steep Decline Since the Late 1990s
8. July 2016
monarch cluster
Numbers from 2015 Western Monarch Thanksgiving Count
4. February 2016
monarch cluster
A First Glimpse at the State of Western Monarchs
14. December 2015
monarch butterfly
All Aboard the Monarch Express
13. November 2015
monarch with OE
monarch with OE
Rearing and Releasing Monarch Butterflies is Not a Good Conservation Strategy
8. October 2015