The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) proposed listing the monarch butterfly as a threatened species, citing a severe decline in the population. This decision comes in response to decades of habitat loss caused by farming, urban development, pesticide use, and climate change, which have all contributed to pushing the butterflies toward extinction. Monarchs, known for their long migrations across North America, have seen their numbers drop significantly.
Environmental groups have advocated for federal protection of monarchs for years, and this proposal marks a step in that direction. Martha Williams, director of the FWS, emphasized the monarch’s cultural significance and resilience, noting that while fragile, the species can recover with proper conservation efforts. The proposal invites public participation in shaping those efforts.
Despite being recognized as in need of federal protection under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) four years ago, the monarch’s listing was delayed due to more immediate threats faced by other species. ESA protection has been crucial in saving species like the bald eagle and California condor. Since the 1980s, the eastern migratory monarch population has declined by 80%, while the western population has fallen by over 95%. If the declines continue, the western population faces a 99% chance of extinction by 2080. The FWS also proposed designating 4,395 acres in California as “critical habitat” for the butterflies.
Public comments on the proposal will be accepted until March 12, 2025.
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