How to Help the Monarch Butterflies
Say the word “butterfly” to any younger Generation Xer, millennial, or older Zoomer, and any number of songs may immediately jump to the top of their minds. One of these may be the iconic introduction to Reading Rainbow, a long-running educational kids’ television show that first aired in 1983. It’s hard not to think of the beautiful monarch butterfly flapping its wings and introducing us to a world of possibilities.
Since the show’s first episode, though, the monarch butterfly’s very existence has been thrown into peril. The species’ population has been reduced by 80-90 percent in the last 30 years. More than one billion of these fantastic creatures used to migrate south to Mexico each winter. However, that annual number has plunged to less than 50 million in many cases.
Why does this matter? It has a lot more to do than simply witnessing the beauty of the monarchs, magnificent as they are. Monarch butterflies, like bees, are important pollinators. As they feed on the sweet nectar of plants, they transfer reproductive substances among the botanical population. Without this important part of the food chain, many fruit-producing plants would be on the verge of extinction. And, as beautiful as monarchs are, they are vital food sources for small animals like birds and other insects.
Thanks to increased awareness of the plight of monarchs, a number of organizations have started to lead the charge in protecting monarch butterflies. If you are wondering how to help save the monarch butterflies, you’ve come to the right place. Keep reading for important information on preserving this species.
What are the Threats to Monarch Butterflies?
Monarch butterflies officially occupied the endangered classification in 2022. However, environmentalists, scientists, and other interested parties have been sounding the alarm for years. At first, the dominant theory behind the monarchs’ decline was the corresponding decrease in milkweed plants across North America, specifically in the Great Plains of the American Midwest.
Milkweed plants are one of the primary food sources for monarch caterpillars. It’s also one of the only places adult butterflies lay their eggs. If all goes well, eggs become caterpillars, caterpillars enter the chrysalis phase, and they start flying within a month. The problem with milkweed plants is the use of pesticides that contain glyphosate. In short, these chemicals kill any milkweed plants they touch. Without these safe places to breed, feed, and grow, monarch butterflies face an uphill battle to survive.
The decline of milkweed plants is not the only issue plaguing the monarchs. Climate change and deforestation of their winter habitats around mountain peaks in Mexico are also affecting the population. Deforestation has played a significant part in decreasing the monarch butterflies’ winter habitats, as have the increased intensity of storms thanks to climate change.
One of the keys to eastern monarchs’ survival in the winter months is having access to a large number of old-growth oyamel trees. Industrialization and fierce storms are knocking down these trees; their replacements often do not provide sufficient protection for the monarch population. Eastern monarch butterflies make up the vast majority of the overall population. They are much fewer in number and are generally confined to California.
Unfortunately, climate change has reared its ugly head all across the continent and disrupted many of the natural processes monarch butterflies depend on to survive. Environmental conditions, like outside temperatures, are important to help monarchs instinctively know where to migrate to and what to do once they get to their destination. Even slight changes can have ripple effects for this endangered species.
How to Help the Monarch Butterflies
We lay out these issues facing monarch butterflies to help lead you to action—not despair. Apart from doing things to reduce your carbon footprint and generally being a good steward for the environment, there are some specific actions that will help bolster and increase the population of monarch butterflies.
Plant Milkweed and Butterfly Food Sources
The first order of business is to plant native milkweed plants if you live in the right area. Don’t worry—you don’t have to be a botanist to do your part. The National Wildlife Federation can help you determine which plants you should concentrate on based on your ZIP code. Many organizations offer monarch butterfly kits, which can be great for getting children interested in science. Some kits offer more plants than just milkweed; nectaring plants provide vital food sources for butterflies making the long migratory treks across North America.
Choose Pesticide Ingredients Carefully
Another important thing you can do is pay attention to the pesticides and chemicals you use on your lawn, garden, or farm. As we mentioned before, anything containing glyphosate can decimate monarchs’ favorite milkweed species. Neonicotinoids, which are specific types of systemic pesticides, are also notable for the harm they do to habitats of monarch butterflies.
Contact Your Local Representatives
Numerous opportunities abound for individuals to band together and have far-reaching impacts on the eastern and western monarch butterfly populations. The National Wildlife Federation (NWF) has an initiative called the Mayor’s Monarch Pledge; residents of areas crucial to monarchs are encouraged to contact their local representatives and ask them to join the cause. They will receive information on ways they can help monarchs thrive in their jurisdictions.
Participate in the Monarch Highway Initiative
Another cause spearheaded by the NWF is the Monarch Highway initiative. This multi-state effort focuses on I-35, which conveniently runs right through the middle of the eastern monarchs’ migration route. This freeway starts in Texas, ends in Minnesota, and includes Oklahoma, Kansas, Missouri, and Iowa. Participating states may use publicly owned right-of-ways to maintain useful plants, put up educational signage, and perform actions to help eastern monarchs thrive.
Our Take on Helping the Monarch Butterflies
Losing the majestic eastern or western monarch butterflies from this planet would be devastating in many ways. This insect performs vital actions, from pollinating fruit-bearing plants to helping maintain populations of birds and other insects. Extinction would create ripple effects that would fundamentally transform ecosystems across North America.
We strongly believe this creature is worth fighting for. The actions of a few, when duplicated by other like-minded people, can have profound effects on wildlife. If you live anywhere close to the monarchs’ habitats, your voice is needed.
