Published on March 2, 2023

By Isis Howard on 2. March 2023 Western monarchs experienced a 58% seasonal decrease between the Thanksgiving and New Year’s counts The Xerces Society’s Western Monarch Count results for the New Year’s period are now in, revealing a 58% seasonal decrease in …

New Year’s Count Of Western Monarchs Reveals High Seasonal Decrease Following Severe Winter Storms Read More »

Published on January 31, 2023

Monarchs returned in higher numbers for Thanksgiving count, but were then battered by winter storms. For immediate release January 31, 2023 Contacts: Emma Pelton, Senior Endangered Species Conservation Biologist and Western Monarch Lead, the Xerces Society; 503-212-0706; [email protected] Isis Howard, Endangered Species …

Western Monarch Count Tallies Over 330,000 Butterflies (Press Release) Read More »

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By Elizabeth E. Crone, professor and quantitative ecologist at the University of California Davis on 31. January 2023 A few weeks ago, a reporter asked me whether relatively high western monarch butterfly counts again this year mean that the population has recovered. …

The Current Status Of Western Monarch Butterflies, By The Numbers Read More »

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By Isis Howard and Emma Pelton on 31. January 2023 ### For the 26th year, community scientists grabbed their binoculars and ventured out to survey monarch butterflies for the Xerces Society’s Western Monarch Count. Surveying a total of 272 overwintering …

Western Monarch Thanksgiving Count Tallies Over 330,000 Butterflies Before Storms Batter Overwintering Sites Read More »

Published on December 14, 2022

Remembering Dan Meade The western monarch community, including myself and others at Xerces, are mourning the unexpected death of Dan Meade on November 26th at the age of 68. Dan was a longtime monarch overwintering expert, consultant, and a very …

Remembering Dan Meade Read More »

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The Xerces Society’s Western Monarch Count: Mid-Season Update, December 2022 Date: 12/7/22 Western Monarch Thanksgiving Count surpasses 300,000 butterflies and counting While preliminary, more than 300,000* monarch butterflies have been reported across 183 overwintering sites in California for The Xerces …

Mid-Season Western Monarch Update: December 2022 Read More »

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The Xerces Society’s Western Monarch Count: Mid-Season Update, November 2022 Date: 11/22/22 More than 105,000* monarch butterflies have been reported to The Xerces Society’s Western Monarch Count project as of 11/22/22. This year seems to be another good year for …

Mid-Season Western Monarch Update: November 2022 Read More »

Published on January 25, 2022

Expert contact: Emma Pelton, Senior Endangered Species Conservation Biologist and Western Monarch Lead, the Xerces Society; 503-212-0706; [email protected] Media contact: Deborah Seiler, Communications Director, the Xerces Society; 503-212-0550; [email protected]  Western monarchs rebound to final tally of nearly 250,000 butterflies PORTLAND, …

Press Release: Western Monarch Thanksgiving Count Totals for 2021 Read More »

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By Isis Howard & Emma Pelton on January 24, 2022 Launched in 1997, the Xerces Society’s Western Monarch Thanksgiving Count celebrates its 25th year of community science with a surprising and remarkable outcome: 247,237 monarch butterflies observed across western overwintering …

Western monarchs rebound to final tally of nearly 250,000 butterflies Read More »

Published on January 24, 2022

Migratory western monarchs are being reported at their overwintering sites in coastal California in greater numbers than last year, giving hope for the struggling population. At overwintering sites in Pacific Grove, Pismo Beach, and a private site in Big Sur, …

The Bounciness Of Butterflies Read More »

Published on October 22, 2021

Western monarchs are showing up along the California coast in greater numbers than last year’s historic low. Migratory western monarchs are being reported at their overwintering sites in coastal California in greater numbers than last year, with hundreds at some …

Early Signs of Hope as Monarch Butterflies Return to California Overwintering Sites Read More »

Published on April 7, 2021

Many insect pollinators are declining in California, including bees and butterflies. The population of western monarch butterflies has declined 99.9% since the 1980s, due to a variety of reasons, including habitat loss and degradation, pesticides, and climate change. One important …

California Monarch and Pollinator Habitat Kits Read More »

Published on March 8, 2021

A new study “Fewer butterflies seen by community scientists across the warming and drying landscapes of the American West” published in the Journal Science last week paints a dim picture for western butterfly species. The study found that butterfly abundance …

Western butterflies declining as climate gets warmer, drier Read More »

Published on March 2, 2021

By Stephanie McKnight on 1 March 2021 Many people have been seeing and reporting fairly large numbers of monarchs, both adults and caterpillars, all winter long in gardens on the California Coast this year. Since there haven’t been any formal …

Resident Monarch Populations on the Rise in California: What Does this Mean for the Western Migratory Population? Read More »

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By Stephanie McKnight on 1 March 2021 Western Migratory Monarch Population Needs Extraordinary Level of Conservation to Persist. Since 1997 volunteers have conducted counts of overwintering monarchs for the Xerces Society’s annual Western Monarch Thanksgiving Count. As a way to …

Fifth Annual Western Monarch New Year’s Count Confirms Continued Decline in Western Monarch Population Read More »

Published on February 26, 2021

The Xerces Society Blog: Monarch Numbers from Mexico Point to Declining Population By Stephanie McKnight on 26 February 2021 The World Wildlife Fund–Mexico announced yesterday results of the annual survey of monarch butterflies overwintering in central Mexico. The butterflies occupied …

Monarch Numbers from Mexico Point to Declining Population Read More »

Published on January 29, 2021

By Paul G. Johnson (guest author) on 28 January 2021 On November 18, 2020, we lost a great friend of butterflies and a wonderful human being, with the passing of Bill Shepard. I met Bill 18 years ago when I …

Remembering Bill Shepard, a Great Friend of Butterflies Read More »

Published on January 26, 2021

Population that winters along the California coast hit a low of less than 2,000 butterflies—a 99.9% decline since the 1980s. We must take action now to save the western monarch migration. Expert Contacts Sarina Jepsen, Director of Endangered Species (971) …

Western Monarch Population Closer to Extinction; Still no Federal or State Protection in Sight Read More »

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By Emma Pelton & Stephanie McKnight on 19 January 2021 During the 24th Western Monarch Thanksgiving Count, nearly 100 volunteers donned their masks and practiced social distancing to carefully survey groves of trees on the California and Northern Baja coast …

Western Monarch Population Closer to Extinction as the Wait Continues for Monarchs’ Protection Under the Endangered Species Act Read More »

Published on January 8, 2021

A Winter Without Monarchs In Pacific Grove – Butterfly Town, U.S.A By ERIKA MAHONEY KAZU 90.3, NPR for Monterey – Salinas – Santa Cruz “On a chilly December morning, Bree Machuca walks into the entrance of Pacific Grove’s Monarch Butterfly …

KAZU 90.3 “A Winter Without Monarchs In Pacific Grove – Butterfly Town, U.S.A” Read More »

Published on January 4, 2021

The West Marin Environmental Action Committee recently published a report titled “Marin’s Monarch Movement”. This document details actions needed to help monarchs in Marin County. Get a copy at the link below and read more in this article with great …

West Marin Environmental Action Committee published a report titled “Marin’s Monarch Movement” Read More »

Published on December 15, 2020

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service agrees that monarchs are threatened with extinction, but does not yet provide the protection that monarchs need to recover. PORTLAND, Ore.; Tuesday, December 15, 2020—Today, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced that listing the …

Much-Needed Federal Protection for America’s Beloved Monarch Butterfly Warranted, but Precluded Read More »

Published on December 7, 2020

Bay Nature published an article about the astonishingly low count of western monarchs at overwintering sites this year. Read the full article here. “The big question is will they bounce back, and certainly we hope they will. But the preliminary …

Bay Nature: “With Fewer than 2,000 Butterflies Counted So Far, Western Monarch Takes an Astonishing Step Closer to Extinction” Read More »

Published on December 3, 2020

By Emma Pelton on 2 December 2020 The US Forest Service, in partnership with the US Fish and Wildlife Service and Xerces, just planted 40 native trees to help restore Plaskett Creek Campground for overwintering monarchs. A fire crew, still …

US Forest Service Plants Native Trees for Monarchs at Plaskett Creek Campground! Read More »

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Planning and Planting for the Future of Monarchs in California By Emma Pelton on 2 December 2020 Pismo State Beach Takes Steps to Protect and Restore Monarch Overwintering Habitat Each year, monarch butterflies from across western North America make their …

Planning and Planting for the Future of Monarchs in California Read More »

Published on November 30, 2020

Monarch Population in California Spirals to Another Record Low By Emma Pelton on 30 November 2020 Early count numbers from Xerces’ Western Monarch Thanksgiving Count suggest that the western migratory population is headed for an all-time low. With roughly 30% …

Monarch Population in California Spirals to Another Record Low Read More »

Published on November 24, 2020

The Monterey Herald published an article about the search for monarchs at Pacific Grove Monarch Butterfly Sanctuary. Thanks to Connie Masotti – the Monterey County regional coordinator for the Thanksgiving Count – for her past and ongoing efforts to search …

“Butterfly Town: Trying to find the missing monarchs” – Monterey Herald Read More »

Published on November 4, 2020

“The Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ SAFE (Saving Animals from Extinction) North American Monarchs group is harnessing the collective power of zoos and aquariums to meet this conservation crisis. The goal of the program is to help boost the actions …

Play it Safe for Monarchs – A new campaign from the San Diego Zoo Read More »

Published on March 18, 2020

Monarchs still urgently need Endangered Species Act protection in the United States and extraordinary conservation efforts throughout North America. The World Wildlife Fund-Mexico and the Comisión Nacional de Áreas Naturales Protegidas (CONANP) announced today that monarchs in central Mexico occupied …

Monarchs Overwintering in Mexico Down 53% Read More »

Published on March 5, 2020

Monitoring revealed an average decrease of 46% between the Thanksgiving and New Year’s counts. This winter, many waited with bated breath for the results of the Western Monarch Thanksgiving Count (WMTC), which occurs annually around the Thanksgiving holiday. In January, …

New Year’s Count Finds Continued Decline of Monarchs Overwintering in California Read More »

Published on January 27, 2020

Action is urgently needed to address the challenges facing monarch butterfly overwintering sites. With the number of western monarchs overwintering in California at less than 1% of historic levels for the second year in a row, it is obvious that …

The Vanishing Butterfly Groves of California Read More »

Published on January 23, 2020

PORTLAND, Ore., January 23, 2020—The Xerces Society today announced that the number of monarch butterflies overwintering in California remains at critical levels for the second year. The monarch population during the 2018–19 winter was an all-time low. Unfortunately, this year’s …

Western monarch butterfly population still at critical level Read More »

Published on November 6, 2019

By Candace Fallon and Emma Pelton on 6 November 2019 Together, these publications contribute to our growing understanding of how human actions can hurt—or help—monarchs. Joan Mosenthal DeWind was an early member of the Xerces Society and a keen supporter …

DeWind Alumnae Publish Three New Research Papers about Monarch Butterflies Read More »

Published on November 1, 2019

By Stephanie McKnight and Emma Pelton on 21 October 2019 Updates on a multi-year collaborative research project tracking the imperiled western monarch population. After the sudden and shocking crash in the number of monarchs overwintering in California during the winter …

Western Monarchs: Notes from the Field Read More »

Published on July 31, 2019

Western monarch researchers and community scientists have been busy, contributing information vital to understanding the situation facing this imperiled population of America’s most well-known butterfly. Four new studies on western monarchs were recently published as part of the special issue …

Community Science Powers New Western Monarch Studies Read More »

Published on February 11, 2019

Location: Online webinar Date & Time: Tuesday, February 26th, 2019 at 2 PM Eastern Time Description: Have you heard about the steep decline in the Western monarch population? Are you wondering how you can help? This webinar will explore the citizen …

Monarch Conservation Webinar – Western Monarch Population Down by 99%: How You Can Help Read More »

Published on January 17, 2019

Population of monarchs overwintering in California at lowest level ever recorded Media Contacts: Emma Pelton, Endangered Species Conservation Biologist; [email protected], (971) 533-7245 Sarina Jepsen, Endangered Species Program Director; [email protected], (971) 244-3727 PORTLAND, Ore.; Thursday, 1/17/19—The population of monarch butterflies overwintering in California …

Monarch Butterflies in Western North America in Jeopardy Read More »

Published on

Working at a conservation nonprofit means that we often come across bad news, but the results from this winter’s Western Monarch Thanksgiving Count left us shocked: an all-time record low of 28,429 monarchs at 213 sites. This number is an 86% …

Record Low Number of Overwintering Monarch Butterflies in California – They Need Your Help! Read More »

Published on January 16, 2019

“An alarming, precipitous drop in the western monarch butterfly population in California this winter could spell doom for the species, a scenario that biologists say could also plunge bug-eating birds and other species into similar death spirals. Only 28,429 of …

San Francisco Chronicle article “California’s most famous butterfly nearing death spiral” Read More »

Published on November 29, 2018

Each year, during a three-week period around Thanksgiving, scores of volunteers fan out through coastal California to find and count overwintering monarch butterflies as part of the Western Monarch Thanksgiving Count. The results are eagerly awaited, as the count provides the …

Preliminary Thanksgiving 2018 count results Read More »

Published on March 8, 2018

The Xerces Society’s Western Monarch Thanksgiving Count provides a long-running record of the number of monarchs overwintering in California—including the steep decline of recent decades. Volunteers and biologists who take part in the Thanksgiving Count have been invaluable in monitoring …

Second New Year’s Count Supports Monarchs Movement Between Sites Read More »

Published on March 2, 2018

The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation, Groundswell Coastal Ecology, California Department of Parks and Recreation, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service have developed a western monarch butterfly overwintering site management plan that also serves as a template for land …

Newly released monarch overwintering site management plan provides blueprint for protecting and managing monarch groves Read More »

Published on February 1, 2018

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contacts: Sarina Jepsen, Endangered Species Program Director, The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation, (971) 244-3727, [email protected] Emma Pelton, Conservation Biologist, Endangered Species Program, The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation, (503) 232-6639, [email protected] Western Monarch Butterflies Continue to …

Western Monarch Butterflies Continue to Decline Read More »

Published on September 7, 2017

A new study published today in Biological Conservation shows a dramatic decline in the California overwintering population of monarchs in the past three decades. Press release below: Monarch butterflies disappearing from western North America New study reveals that western monarch …

New study shows dramatic decline in the population since the 1980s Read More »

Published on June 8, 2017

Volunteers with the Western Monarch Thanksgiving Count have been monitoring the numbers of monarch butterflies overwintering in California every fall for the last twenty years. To better understand overwintering monarch clusters’ persistence during the overwintering season, the Xerces Society and …

First New Year’s Count Completed Read More »

Published on November 22, 2016

“Pacific Grove >> With deep concentration, they direct their gaze up the trees that play host to slumbering butterflies, silently counting the orange insects until they share their tally with neighboring volunteers. As monarchs flock to the verdant groves along …

Monterey Herald article “It’s time for the monarch count!” Read More »

Published on November 11, 2016

As the days get shorter and monarchs make their way to the forested groves along the California coast to settle in for the winter, volunteers for the Xerces Society Western Monarch Thanksgiving Count are preparing to head out to observe …

Celebrating 20 years of the Western Monarch Thanksgiving Count! Read More »

Published on November 10, 2016

“Last November, Berkeleyside published an article about a spectacular natural phenomenon seen in Berkeley for the first time: hundreds of monarch butterflies were clustering in the trees of Aquatic Park. This fall, thoughtful reader and independent gardener Toni Cox wrote …

Monarch butterflies and great ways you can help them Read More »

Published on October 30, 2016

200 years ago, monarchs were observed along the CA coast – will they be there two centuries from now? Learn more on the Xerces Society Blog.

Published on October 27, 2016

Monarch butterflies are slowly arriving at the Pacific Grove butterfly grove. Nick Stong, who counts monarch butterflies at Pacific Grove every Saturday, is encouraged by the numbers of butterflies that have arrived in the last few weeks. Read more in …

Monarchs arriving at the Pacific Grove butterfly grove Read More »

Published on July 8, 2016

A report released today by the Xerces Society shows a sharp two-decade decline in the number of monarchs which overwinter along the California coast and prioritizes the top 50 overwintering sites most in need of conservation and management attention. State …

New report on the State of Overwintering Sites in California Read More »

Published on May 5, 2016

A new version of the Monarch SOS app for iPhone is now available through iTunes! This free app developed by Naturedigger includes many monarch citizen science projects and the newest version adds two Xerces projects: Western Monarch Count– for monitoring …

Monarch SOS app launched: a new way to collect monarch data Read More »

Published on February 26, 2016

Favorable weather boosts Mexican overwintering population but numbers remain relatively low. PORTLAND, Ore., February 26, 2016 — The latest count of monarch butterflies overwintering in Mexico found that the population which will migrate to the United States rebounded again this …

Monarch Numbers Up in Mexico, But Still a Long Journey to Recovery Read More »

Published on February 4, 2016

The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation, Portland, OR More monarchs reported in Northern California this year, but monarchs are not yet recovered PORTLAND, Ore., February 4, 2016 — Results from a survey of monarch butterfly overwintering sites in California show …

Assessment of Western Monarch Butterfly Winter Population Completed Read More »

Published on January 26, 2016

A new study by UC-Davis illuminates the natal origins of monarch butterflies overwintering in California. The study by Louie Yang (Dept. Entomology at UC-Davis) used stable hydrogen isotope analysis to test tissue samples from 114 butterflies at 4 overwintering locations. The …

New study on the natal origins of overwintering monarchs Read More »

Published on December 18, 2015

New data suggests the number of monarch butterflies in California has grown this year. That’s good news since the population of this near-threatened species has been thin in recent years. “We are really pleased to see that the number of …

New data suggests 2015 a good year for monarch butterflies Read More »

Published on

The monarch butterflies have returned to Pacific Grove, but this year there may be fewer of them. Volunteers and officials with the Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History recently counted 11,000, down from 18,000 this time last year. That count …

Monarch count: Pacific Grove numbers down this year Read More »

Published on

Monarch butterflies travel hundreds of miles each fall to bask in the warmth of secluded eucalyptus, Monterey pine and coast live oak groves along the central California coast. They cluster in the hundreds and even thousands, appearing as a mass …

Monarch Butterflies of Ellwood Mesa Read More »

Published on December 14, 2015

Populations of monarch butterflies are still far below historic numbers PORTLAND, Ore., December 14, 2015 — First reports from monarch overwintering sites in California surveyed during the Xerces Society’s Western Monarch Thanksgiving Count suggest that 2015 may have been a …

Early data from Western Monarch Thanksgiving Count suggests a small increase in butterfly numbers in some parts of the overwintering range Read More »

Published on December 5, 2015

Every autumn, the western North American population of monarch butterflies migrates from the lands west of the Rocky Mountains to the coast of California, where they spend the winter at about 200 sites scattered throughout the coastline. Last winter, I …

Migrating monarchs bring out citizen scientists in the holiday season Read More »

Published on November 23, 2015

In late October, Berkeleyside received a tip that thousands of tiny fish were jumping in the waters of Aquatic Park. Less than three weeks later, we received another “scoop” about the park that throngs of monarch butterflies were clustering in …

Hundreds of monarch butterflies cluster in Berkeley’s Aquatic Park Read More »

Published on November 17, 2015

“These butterflies migrate thousands of miles, but the more amazing part is that even with four or five generations between them, they still return to these same branches,” explained Charis Van der Heide, who is a docent at the Coronado …

Monarch Welcoming Committee Read More »