Canadian monarch enthusiasts, experts welcome possible new protections for butterfly in U.S.

Monarch butterfly enthusiasts and experts in Canada are applauding the proposed increased protections for the species in the United States. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service recently suggested adding the monarch butterfly to the list of threatened species under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). This move is considered a step in the right direction by Heather Kharouba, an associate professor at the University of Ottawa’s Biology department, who studies the impact of climate change on monarch butterflies.

The proposed listing would provide extensive protections for the monarch butterfly. It would be illegal to import, export, possess, transport, or kill the species. The listing would also prohibit the destruction or modification of critical habitats, such as the more than 1,700 hectares in seven coastal California counties where monarchs west of the Rocky Mountains migrate for winter.

For Canada, where the monarch is a migratory species, the proposed protections in the U.S. are crucial. Kharouba believes that efforts to protect the species in the U.S. will have a positive impact on Canadian populations as well. Climate change is a significant threat to monarch butterflies, with extreme heat, droughts, and winter storms in Mexico causing harm to the species.

Ryan Drum, lead conservation biologist for pollinators with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, emphasizes the importance of collaboration between countries to create a resilient system of habitats for monarch butterflies. While the Canadian government has already listed the monarch butterfly as an endangered species, the U.S. considers it threatened, indicating that it is likely to become endangered in the foreseeable future.

Monarch enthusiasts like Leo Silvestri and Sarah Rupert are encouraged by the proposed protections for the species. Silvestri believes that securing habitat and raising awareness are essential for the survival of monarch butterflies. He emphasizes the importance of community members taking action, such as planting milkweed and educating others on how they can help.

The road to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s proposal has been long, with conservation groups petitioning for the monarch butterfly to be listed as threatened since 2014. The announcement of the proposed listing now opens a 90-day public comment period, giving Canadians the opportunity to participate. If the listing moves forward, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has until December of 2025 to finalize it.

Overall, the proposed increased protections for the monarch butterfly in the United States are seen as a positive step towards ensuring the survival of this iconic species. Collaboration between countries and community efforts will be crucial in protecting monarch butterflies for future generations.