How You Can Help
Ways to Support Monarch Conservation Efforts
Article | How You Can Help

Create Monarch Habitat
Plant a butterfly garden in your backyard, schoolyard or community.

• Plant milkweed and provide nectar plants
  • include flowers that produce nectar during fall migration such as New England aster and Mexican sunflower
• Avoid pesticides
  • pesticides kill monarchs at all stages of the life cycle
  • learn about integrated pest management
• See resources and information:
  • Monarch Joint Venture
  • NABA Butterfly and Habitat Program
  • Monarch Watch Waystation Program

Share Your Observations
Scientists need help from citizen scientists in collecting data during all stages of the monarch's annual cycle. Monarch conservation is complex and effective decisions depend upon sound scientific information. Collect data and report your observations.

• Migration and milkweed observations: Journey North
• Breeding observations: Monarch Larva Monitoring Program
• Disease monitoring: Monarch Health
• Butterfly counts: North American Butterfly Association
• Monarch tagging: Monarch Watch

Protect Breeding Habitat
Look for conservation opportunities at the landscape level in your local community, region, state or province. Understand the facts. Identify the decision-makers. Communicate about the issues. Get involved in the process of land management.

• Mowing of milkweed
  • Talk to your local farmers, road crews, railway managers and highway department about ways to reduce or eliminate mowing, especially in late summer when the migratory generation is developing. If you must mow, pay attention to the timing of monarch generations and implement a regimen of alternate cuttings, so that new milkweed is continually available and generations have time to develop.
• Pesticide use
  • Milkweed often grows along railroad, powerline and road right-of-ways where pesticides can be reduced or restricted.
• Agricultural practices
  • Follow current research. Participate in efforts that foster understanding of the effect of genetically modified crops and other agricultural practices on the ecosystem. As a consumer, find ways to reduce your effect.

Support Conservation Organizations
Donate to organizations that work on conservation of the monarch breeding grounds (see links above). Support organizations that protect the overwintering habitat in Mexico:

• Monarch Butterfly Fund
• Alternare

Learn More

• New York Times
• CBS Sunday Morning
• Monarch Watch Blog
• North American Monarch Conservation Plan

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