Monarch butterflies are experiencing a dangerously late stage in jeopardy this year. Pacific Grove, California—once a refuge for these beautiful icons of nature—is now ground zero for their battle. The abundance of monarch butterflies in the western portion of the U.S. has plummeted to just 0.1% of its historic population. Since the 1980s, it has dropped by more than 99%! As they migrate to Pacific Grove—a location they have never visited before—environmentalists and local officials scramble to protect these delicate creatures from impending extinction.
Monarchs typically live for just nine months or less. Even within their brief lives, they perform a remarkable function in our ecosystem. They perform double duty, serving as indicators of environmental health and a canary in the coal mine for other pollinators. Their loss is a bellwether for larger ecological crises that threaten all species, places, and peoples. The U.S. Department of the Interior has already expressed the need to defend monarch butterflies. They recommend reclassifying both the eastern and western populations’ status under the Endangered Species Act to officially declare them threatened. A decision has been postponed, alarming conservationists.
Each late fall and winter, monarchs traveling the western migratory flyway move from the Pacific Northwest down to California. Along the way, they face numerous threats. At less than a paper clip’s weight, these butterflies are capable of traveling more than 100 miles in one day. Even with their incredible adaptability, unity and astounding migratory powers, the obstacles they face are increasing every day. In 2024, a mass mortality event in Pacific Grove laid bare the threats that monarchs were facing. We mourned the passing of hundreds of these beautiful insects that perished upon exposure to pesticides. The response to this incident has opened the door to accountability and raised awareness about these harmful chemicals and their impact on wildlife.
In Pacific Grove, local officials have implemented ordinances to shelter the butterflies. Anyone who harasses or disrupts these protections can be found liable for a $1,000 fine. Advocates on the local level stress that awareness and education is what’s key to keeping these amazing creatures alive. Longtime local conservationist and educator, Kat Morgan, teaches communities to cultivate butterfly-friendly spaces and helps them fall in love with these pollinators. Her mission is to deepen that love so they will take action to protect monarchs.
The city’s designation as an official “overwintering” site for monarch butterflies further boosts its value as a sanctuary. Recent executive actions have created a dismal outlook for coming years. Experts warn that if current trends continue, western monarch butterflies could face nearly a 100% chance of extinction by 2080. “Now climate change might be like the straw that breaks the camel’s back,” warns Pelton, highlighting the compounded threats that these butterflies face in a rapidly changing climate.
To go further with an example of another local leader in the local movement for conservation, Natalie Johnston has been deeply engaged in the day to day operations. She keynotes that Butterfly Town is about the real, physical creatures where there is a clear need of help. It involves the orange-and-black-themed local swag. This sentiment reflects a growing movement among residents and activists who seek to foster a deeper connection with the natural world.
The sad numbers that define these beautiful creatures serve to remind us how fragile their survival has become. They are one of the most well-studied butterflies in the world, but despite all that knowledge, their survival is truly on the line. Conservationists are adamant that we’ve got to make this happen. They feel that urgent action is necessary to address ongoing threats of habitat destruction, climate change and pesticide poisoning.
In reaction to these challenges, local nonprofits and organizations like One Thousand Trees are mobilizing support for initiatives that would restore habitats while educating the public. These efforts involve planting milkweed—the sole food source for monarch caterpillars—and establishing butterfly gardens to offer safe havens during migration.
The fate of monarch butterflies has become a global concern. Fisheries scientists and conservationists are studying their collapse like a canary in the coal mine, hoping to understand why they’re the first ecological alarm bell to sound. Conversations surrounding environmental policy are at a critical juncture. Turns out it is the City of Pacific Grove that is really leading the charge to save these remarkable insects.