Monarch Conservation Efforts - National, Regional, West Virginia
North Core: dark purple; South Core: medium purple. Map courtesy of USFWS
Monarch populations are measured by determining the area covered by over wintering colonies in central Mexico. In the winters of 2012, 2013, and 2014, the area plummeted to record lows of between 1.7 to 2.9 acres corresponding to a population of 18.7 to 33.2 million butterflies. Although this number sounds substantial, storms and other random events can decimate an over wintering colony by over 90%. Twenty years ago, healthy over wintering populations numbered well over a billion butterflies, covering over 40 acres.
Based on current research, most Monarchs that make the journey south to Mexico and back are from a broad swath from west of the Great Lakes, under them, and to the east in the north central United States – what is known as the North Core Area. The primary challenges that Monarchs face in this primary breeding area is lack of milkweeds and nectar resources and mortality and contamination from insecticides. Hence, the primary conservation thrust in this broad area is the enhancement and creation of habitat that supports milkweed and flowers that produce nectar, in an insecticide free environment.
A roughly triangular area south of this, the South Core Area, hosts and produces the earliest annual generations of Monarchs. Researchers are still determining what is limiting the Monarch population in this area. The lighter colored Exterior Areas are also vitally important to Monarch conservation. The western population of Monarchs, that over winter in groves along the Pacific Coast in California, has also declined significantly and is shown in shades of green.
Tri-National Conservation
The United States, Canada and Mexico have developed the North American Monarch Conservation Plan, a long-term cooperative agenda to conserve the Monarch Butterfly and its unique migratory behavior.
Conservation in Mexico
Localized areas in the mountains west of Mexico City host the Monarch winter colonies. Rugged and covered with valuable timber resources, the area has a long history of use and logging since the sixteenth century. Monarchs use mature mixed species stands of mostly Oyamel fir with some Mexican cypress, Mexican pine, and hardwoods to shelter in, choosing sites below ridgelines at 7900 to 11,800 feet in elevation. The dense canopies and thick trunks of the firs produce a slightly warmer microclimate that ameliorates temperature extremes and provides protection from wind and precipitation.
Almost 40,000 acres enclosing the colony areas have been protected on paper since 1986, but little enforcement was done, and illegal logging was common. Since the expansion of the protected area, now a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, to 139,000 acres (33,400 acres with a total logging ban) in 2000, and the establishment of a fund to compensate logging companies, timbering has almost ceased, although periodic poaching still occurs. Reforestation efforts and natural growth have resulted in 1700 additional forested acres. Programs promoting soil conservation, livestock fencing, and maintenance of forest stands have also helped. But unstable political and social conditions erode conservation efforts.
Conservation in the United States
Since 2000, and especially since the bad years of 2014-2014, Monarch conservation in the U.S. has gone into high gear. Numerous conservation plans and strategies have been developed covering the country, regions, states (for example Nebraska and Iowa), and municipalities (St. Louis). Implementing these plans has begun, but holes still exist geographically, and in determining the most effective conservation in certain regions.
Other conservation efforts concentrate on land use or ownership, such as agricultural areas, transportation corridors, U.S. Forest Service lands, and urban areas.
Conservation in West Virginia
About half of West Virginia lies in the North Core Area, so Mountaineers have a stake in helping to bring back the Monarch – our state butterfly. Although we have healthy populations of milkweed, and our agricultural producers generally don’t plant Round-Up ready corn or soybeans that Midwestern farmers use, we could manage the habitat that Monarchs and other pollinators need better.
An abundance of information, best management practices, and programs can be found on the web with a simple “Monarch conservation” search. Many of these practices are applicable to West Virginia, with a few samples listed below.
Monarch Way Stations: Plant or enhance an existing garden or natural area to help support the breeding and migration of Monarchs. When a Station is registered, the owner receives a sign to place in the area identifying it as a way station.
Mayor's Monarch Pledge: Cities and towns can participate in many ways through this program. The administration of the municipality can pledge to fulfill from three to 24 actions to benefit Monarchs. A great way to enhance beautification projects, environmental education, and even tourism.
Best Management Practices: The Monarch Joint Venture and the Xerces Society have developed guidelines for various land-uses and management, including mowing, gardening, natural areas, parks, agriculture, and utility rights-of-ways.
A virtual cornucopia of Monarch related educational and outreach activities and programs are available for schools, organizations, and individuals. Monarch Joint Venture has many links under Citizen Science and Education.
Based on current research, most Monarchs that make the journey south to Mexico and back are from a broad swath from west of the Great Lakes, under them, and to the east in the north central United States – what is known as the North Core Area. The primary challenges that Monarchs face in this primary breeding area is lack of milkweeds and nectar resources and mortality and contamination from insecticides. Hence, the primary conservation thrust in this broad area is the enhancement and creation of habitat that supports milkweed and flowers that produce nectar, in an insecticide free environment.
A roughly triangular area south of this, the South Core Area, hosts and produces the earliest annual generations of Monarchs. Researchers are still determining what is limiting the Monarch population in this area. The lighter colored Exterior Areas are also vitally important to Monarch conservation. The western population of Monarchs, that over winter in groves along the Pacific Coast in California, has also declined significantly and is shown in shades of green.
Tri-National Conservation
The United States, Canada and Mexico have developed the North American Monarch Conservation Plan, a long-term cooperative agenda to conserve the Monarch Butterfly and its unique migratory behavior.
Conservation in Mexico
Localized areas in the mountains west of Mexico City host the Monarch winter colonies. Rugged and covered with valuable timber resources, the area has a long history of use and logging since the sixteenth century. Monarchs use mature mixed species stands of mostly Oyamel fir with some Mexican cypress, Mexican pine, and hardwoods to shelter in, choosing sites below ridgelines at 7900 to 11,800 feet in elevation. The dense canopies and thick trunks of the firs produce a slightly warmer microclimate that ameliorates temperature extremes and provides protection from wind and precipitation.
Almost 40,000 acres enclosing the colony areas have been protected on paper since 1986, but little enforcement was done, and illegal logging was common. Since the expansion of the protected area, now a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, to 139,000 acres (33,400 acres with a total logging ban) in 2000, and the establishment of a fund to compensate logging companies, timbering has almost ceased, although periodic poaching still occurs. Reforestation efforts and natural growth have resulted in 1700 additional forested acres. Programs promoting soil conservation, livestock fencing, and maintenance of forest stands have also helped. But unstable political and social conditions erode conservation efforts.
Conservation in the United States
Since 2000, and especially since the bad years of 2014-2014, Monarch conservation in the U.S. has gone into high gear. Numerous conservation plans and strategies have been developed covering the country, regions, states (for example Nebraska and Iowa), and municipalities (St. Louis). Implementing these plans has begun, but holes still exist geographically, and in determining the most effective conservation in certain regions.
Other conservation efforts concentrate on land use or ownership, such as agricultural areas, transportation corridors, U.S. Forest Service lands, and urban areas.
Conservation in West Virginia
About half of West Virginia lies in the North Core Area, so Mountaineers have a stake in helping to bring back the Monarch – our state butterfly. Although we have healthy populations of milkweed, and our agricultural producers generally don’t plant Round-Up ready corn or soybeans that Midwestern farmers use, we could manage the habitat that Monarchs and other pollinators need better.
An abundance of information, best management practices, and programs can be found on the web with a simple “Monarch conservation” search. Many of these practices are applicable to West Virginia, with a few samples listed below.
Monarch Way Stations: Plant or enhance an existing garden or natural area to help support the breeding and migration of Monarchs. When a Station is registered, the owner receives a sign to place in the area identifying it as a way station.
Mayor's Monarch Pledge: Cities and towns can participate in many ways through this program. The administration of the municipality can pledge to fulfill from three to 24 actions to benefit Monarchs. A great way to enhance beautification projects, environmental education, and even tourism.
Best Management Practices: The Monarch Joint Venture and the Xerces Society have developed guidelines for various land-uses and management, including mowing, gardening, natural areas, parks, agriculture, and utility rights-of-ways.
A virtual cornucopia of Monarch related educational and outreach activities and programs are available for schools, organizations, and individuals. Monarch Joint Venture has many links under Citizen Science and Education.