Strengthening Evidence-Based Collaborative Monarch Butterfly Conservation
Monarch butterfly population has experienced a significant decline over the last few decades. While the 2024-2025 wintering season saw an increase from the previous year, this remains one of the lowest recorded population sizes and highlights the ongoing challenges for monarch conservation, as well as the urgent need for coordinated, evidence-based conservation efforts. The Trinational Monarch Conservation Science Partnership (TMCSP), established by Canada, Mexico, and the United States, in response to the record-low wintering population size observed in 2013/2014, has played a crucial role in addressing monarch conservation challenges collaboratively. The project will convene the TMCSP and other key conservation actors within targeted virtual meetings, where they will take stock of evidence-gathering efforts and draw lessons from their implementation and results. Inclusive collaborative action will be further supported through a joint, in-person meeting to identify needs, barriers and opportunities related to on-the-ground monarch conservation, evidence-based priority actions, and a unified approach to addressing them. The project aims to help guide future conservation strategies and support the ongoing efforts of the Trinational Monarch Conservation Science Partnership and monarch conservation practitioners working for the recovery of monarchs in North America.
Issues
- Monarch population has declined significantly. The 2023-2024 wintering season recorded the second-lowest population ever.
- Long-term, harmonized monitoring data is needed to design and implement effective monarch conservation strategies.
Aim
- We are strengthening monarch butterfly conservation through collaboration, evidence-based actions, and strategic planning across North America.
Deliverables
- Gather key conservation actors to review evidence and lessons learned.
- Identify needs and barriers to develop actionable strategies for monarch conservation.
- Support ongoing monarch conservation efforts across North America.
Principal Results
The shared conservation priorities established in this project have helped guide monarch butterfly conservation across North America, based on current scientific knowledge. The project also reactivated the Trinational Monarch Conservation Science Partnership (TMCSP), renewing collaboration among experts and organizations from Canada, Mexico and the United States. By supporting broad participation and such events as the North American Monarch Summit, the project has encouraged coordination among experts and built momentum for more unified conservation efforts. The outcomes of these discussions and furthered coordination are presented in the report: Priority Actions for Monarch Conservation in North America: Strengthening Evidence-based Collaborative Monarch Butterfly Conservation.
