The US Fish and Wildlife Service announced a decision to extend federal protections to monarch butterflies after concerns that populations were shrinking and the species might not survive climate change.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service plans to list the monarch butterfly as threatened by the end of the next year.
The big picture: Once listed as threatened, individuals would generally be prohibited from killing or transporting monarch butterflies.
- The proposed listing would designate 4395 acres in California as critical habitat for monarchs west of the Rocky Mountains.
Driving the news: Conservation groups had petitioned for the monarch’s threatened status, and a lawsuit settlement in 2022 required the government to decide on listing by September 2024.
- Monarch populations have been shrinking due to various factors, including climate change, agricultural expansion, and herbicide use that affects milkweed growth.
- The species occupies less traditional overwintering space in Mexico, and the number of monarchs counted during migration season has significantly decreased.
What we’re watching: The decision to list monarch butterflies as threatened starts a 90-day public comment period, with the publication deadline for the listing set for December 2025.
What they’re saying: “The iconic monarch butterfly is cherished across North America, captivating children and adults throughout its fascinating life cycle,” said U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Director Martha Williams in a statement. “Despite its fragility, it is remarkably resilient, like many things in nature when we just give them a chance.”
