The MJV is excited to welcome the Central Coast State Parks Association & Western Monarch Trail to the partnership! The Western Monarch Trail (WMT) is an exciting endeavor spearheaded and fiscally sponsored by the Central Coast State Parks Association (CCSPA) in California. The project consists of a multi-agency collaboration with representatives from federal and state agencies, non-profit organizations, and private organizations. CCSPA supports two districts of California State Parks on the Central Coast. Many state parks in their districts include western monarch overwintering sites, including what was considered one of the largest, Pismo State Beach Monarch Grove.
The Western Monarch Trail is a series of sites along the migration path of the western monarch butterfly. Each site, whether on public or private lands, are crucial overwintering and nectaring locations for western monarchs. The WMT will serve as a platform for consistent education, outreach, and resource avenues that focus on preservation of the western monarch along its migration path as well as kickstart political actions in an effort to restore populations of healthy migrating western monarch butterflies. Modeled after the ever-popular Whale Trail, the WMT will provide the public with consistent, up-to-date information on the status of western monarchs, as well as efforts to restore their populations. Signage along the trail will identify areas that are crucial overwintering and nectaring locations for western monarchs in California, and will eventually be staked in Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Utah, and Nevada. The first WMT sign was recently installed at the Pismo State Beach Monarch Grove, and the trail was highlighted in Sunset Magazine.
At the MJV, we believe in the power of collaborative conservation and subscribe to the idea that we can do more together. We are thrilled to welcome CCSPA and the Western Monarch Trail to the partnership, and to be a part of the exciting work that is still to come. Through the Western Monarch Trail, CCSPA is committed to increasing awareness of the western monarch population, and the MJV is looking forward to supporting their education and conservation effort through strong partnership. To learn more about the Western Monarch Trail and Central Coast State Parks Association, please visit http://westernmonarchtrail.com/
The Monarch Joint Venture is a 501c3 nonprofit organization and a national partnership of federal and state agencies, non-governmental organizations, businesses and academic programs working together to conserve the monarch butterfly migration. The content in this article does not necessarily reflect the positions of all Monarch Joint Venture partners. Photo courtesy of CCSPA.