SierraScape Spring 2021
Back to Table of Contents

BY CAROLINE PUFALT
Conservation Chair

The US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) determined in December 2020 that the Monarch Butterfly "meets the listing criteria" under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). However, the final, official listing is on hold, putting the Monarch on the ESA waiting list. There are 161 species currently on that list.

It's tragic that all these species wait for the more robust protection that comes with official listing. But the USFWS lacks the staff and funding to keep up with that workload.

An official ESA listing decision brings with it federal reporting and protection requirements and sometimes designation of critical habitat. It's clear that Monarch numbers are in serious decline, as much as 80% in the past two decades. Monarchs are at risk due to serious habitat loss, pesticide use (neonicotinoids), and logging in their wintering habitat. The delay in final listing is extremely frustrating, but it doesn't mean that action is not being taken to help Monarchs.

Many individuals and agencies have planted milkweed and other native plants for Monarch habitat in small backyards to much larger areas. Missouri Department of Conservation encourages landowners with an acre or more to cultivate larger scale habitat.

But it won't be enough until we reduce pesticide use, create and protect more habitat across the Monarch's migration, breeding and wintering habitat. Final listing under the ESA will help.

And the push for more natural protected areas under the 30 by 30 campaign is also a plus. Also, a good time to support more funding for the USFWS.

HOW YOU CAN HELP
You can find information from the US Fish and Wildlife Service at: www.fws.gov/savethemonarch