In a significant step for conservation, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) announced plans to list the monarch butterfly as a threatened species by the end of 2024.

This decision comes after years of growing concerns about the rapid decline in monarch populations and the impact of climate change and habitat destruction. The decision is part of broader efforts to protect the butterfly, which has seen its numbers dwindle in recent decades.

Monarch butterflies, recognized for their vibrant orange and black wings, are an iconic species across North America. Known for their spectacular migration, where eastern monarchs travel to Mexico for the winter and western monarchs head to California, the butterflies have become an emblem of the natural beauty of the continent.

However, environmental groups have long raised alarms about the species' future. The monarch population has dropped dramatically, with data revealing an 81% decrease in monarchs across the U.S. over the last 25 years, largely due to climate change, loss of habitat, and herbicide use.

The Threatened Species Designation

The move to designate the monarch butterfly as "threatened" under the Endangered Species Act is a crucial step in efforts to protect the species. A "threatened" status allows for some legal protections but also offers opportunities for adaptation.

For example, farmers can continue to remove milkweed (the primary food source for monarch caterpillars) from their land, but they cannot engage in activities that make the land permanently unsuitable for the species. Importantly, incidental kills, such as those caused by vehicles, will be permitted, but intentional harm to the butterflies will be prohibited.

The FWS is also considering critical habitat protections, particularly along the western U.S. coastline, where monarchs overwinter. The proposal would designate 4,395 acres across seven coastal California counties as protected habitats.

This designation would help safeguard the butterflies' essential overwintering areas from destruction or disruption, though it doesn't necessarily halt all development. Landowners seeking federal permits for projects would need to work with the FWS to mitigate any damage to these vital habitats.

A Race Against Time

The decision follows a long road of advocacy from environmental groups. In 2014, the Center for Biological Diversity petitioned the government to list monarchs as threatened, and the FWS began its review of the species' status shortly thereafter.

After years of delays, a federal lawsuit settled in 2022 forced the agency to make a decision by September 2024, with an extension granted to December. This new protection proposal comes just in time, with monarch populations facing a bleak future if no action is taken.

Tierra Curry, a senior scientist with the Center for Biological Diversity, called the listing "a distress signal warning us to take better care of the environment." She and other conservationists see the listing as crucial not only for the survival of the monarch butterfly but as a broader indicator of environmental health. If the monarch can’t survive, it’s a warning that ecosystems at large are in danger.

Challenges and Uncertainty for Farmers

The decision is not without controversy, particularly for farmers and agricultural businesses. While conservationists support the protections, some agricultural groups worry about the potential impact on their practices. Matt Mulica, of the group Farmers for Monarchs, emphasized that farmers have been voluntarily working to maintain monarch habitats for years

but there is still uncertainty about what the "threatened" listing will mean for their operations. The group has worked with the American Farm Bureau Federation and American Soybean Association to find ways to help the butterflies without negatively affecting farming practices

Looking Ahead

As the public comment period opens and the proposal advances, the decision to list monarchs as a threatened species represents a critical step toward safeguarding the iconic butterfly.

For now, conservationists remain cautiously optimistic, while continuing to push for broader protections for other species facing similar threats. If the monarch butterfly can be saved, it will serve as a beacon of hope for the countless other species struggling to survive in an increasingly hostile world.

Monarch butterflies to be listed as a threatened species in the U.S.

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