So what happened?
21 July 2022 (IUCN) – “The migratory monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus plexippus), known for its spectacular annual journey of up to 4,000 kilometers across the Americas, has entered the IUCN Red List of Threatened SpeciesTM as Endangered, threatened by habitat destruction and climate change.
MONARCHS ARE NOT PROTECTED IN THE UNITED STATES
In December 2020, after an extensive status assessment of the monarch butterfly, we (Fish & Wildlife Service) determined that listing the monarch under the Endangered Species Act is warranted but precluded at this time by higher priority listing actions….Our 12-month finding does not protect monarchs under the ESA at this time. We first must propose the monarch for listing as either an endangered or threatened species, gather and analyze public comments and any new information, and using the best available science, make a final decision and publish a final rule. That process is deferred while we work on higher-priority listing actions.
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
The destruction of habitat, pesticides, disease, and climate change are all factors leading to the decline of invertebrate species. The Monarch represents the importance of biodiversity because it highlights the delicate interconnectedness of species and the negative impacts that human activities can have on the natural world. The loss of the monarch and its habitat can have ripple effects throughout the ecosystem, affecting not only other species, but also ecosystem processes such as pollination and nutrient cycling. The decline of the monarch also serves as a warning that many other species may also be at risk of extinction if we don’t take action to protect biodiversity. Communities can make a difference in caring for and supporting the survival of one our Queen pollinators.
You can make a difference.
Dec 3, 2022
PLANTING DAY
Community Planting day.
Feb 11, 2023
PLANTING DAY
Community Planting day.
Apr 22, 2023 Earth Day
PLANTING DAY
Community Planting day.
