Wildlife

Wild Monarch Butterfly Habitat Restoration

Large-scale milkweed and nectar plant restoration is the most effective action to support monarch butterfly population recovery.

Key Facts

An estimated 1.4 billion acres of milkweed habitat have been lost in the US Corn Belt
Milkweed is the only plant on which monarchs can lay their eggs
Nectar corridor restoration along migration routes supports energy replenishment
Several states have adopted monarch conservation plans
Citizen science planting efforts collectively contribute significant habitat

Welfare Considerations

Monarchs deprived of milkweed habitat cannot reproduce, and those unable to find nectar sources during migration cannot complete their journey. Population-level declines mean fewer individuals survive to reach overwintering grounds. Habitat restoration directly addresses the root cause of monarch decline and benefits the broader pollinator community.

What You Can Do

Plant native milkweed and nectar plants in your garden
Choose locally sourced milkweed species appropriate to your region
Participate in citizen science monarch monitoring and reporting programs
Support organizations restoring monarch habitat at landscape scale
Advocate for farm programs that incentivize pollinator-friendly habitat on agricultural land