Forty-four years after the first-ever conference on monarch conservation and biology, 270 attendees from Canada, Mexico, and the United States added another chapter in the history of trinational monarch collaboration at the 2025 North American Monarch Summit.
The conference was hosted by the Monarch Joint Venture and the Rights-of-Way as Habitat Working Group in Minneapolis, with support from numerous sponsors, from June 24 to 26. Attendees represented 161 organizations, including 28 sponsoring organizations. They attended over 50 talks, panels, and field trips, and participated in several days of great conversations about monarch and pollinator conservation.
This was the first trinational monarch conservation meeting of its kind since 2012 , and the power of collaboration was felt throughout the summit.
“What stood out to me the most at the Monarch Summit was the genuine sense of connection and shared purpose across borders,” said Antoine Asselin-Nguyen, Ecosystems Project Lead for the Commission for Environmental Cooperation in Quebec, Canada. “Seeing experts, community leaders, and government partners from Canada, Mexico, and the United States come together, not just to talk, but actively shape a common path for monarch conservation, was incredibly energizing. It reminded me why trinational collaboration is not just valuable but essential for the future of monarch butterflies in North America.”
Monday, June 23, saw many people arrive in time for the evening’s Great Monarch Meetup, a public event that included raffles, food and drinks, outreach tables, interactive activities for people of all ages, and the start of some of the great conversations that were to come.
On Tuesday, the day began with a greeting from Beth Richardson, the Consul General of Canada in Minneapolis, followed by a presentation by Dr. Karen Oberhauser on the history of trinational meetings, dating back to the first monarch conservation conference, hosted by the Xerces Society in 1981. Then, it was on to a panel featuring conservation leaders from Canada, Mexico, and the United States, followed by 19 lightning talks on science, habitat, education, and community engagement. After lunch, groups broke out into regional sessions for focused discussions and networking. It was this time for in-person connection that stuck out to several attendees.
“The conversations, shared goals, and collaborative spirit created a buzz that was truly palpable,” said MJV Online Education Manager Jenna Totz. “It was inspiring to hear about the incredible work happening across the country, and to bring that momentum back with us to fuel our own efforts.”
Wednesday began with a community science panel, followed by an address from Consul for Protection of Mexico Antonio Hernandez Baca, and talks on various science and research topics, including mapping seasonal breeding patterns to inform mowing strategies, the impact of tags on monarch movement and survival, and more. Afternoon field trips were impacted by heavy rains in the Twin Cities, but some went ahead as planned, while others pivoted to indoor activities to stay out of the elements.
On Thursday, Nicole Alt of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service welcomed the group in the morning. The week also featured messages from U.S. Sen. Jeff Merkley of Oregon and U.S. Rep. Betty McCollum. Alt’s welcome was followed by a pesticide panel featuring various stakeholders and experts. This was followed by additional breakout sessions to strategize and discuss ideas.
These meaningful moments and in-person connections will help power the next several years of conservation.
”The North American Monarch Summit was a powerful reminder of what’s possible when diverse voices come together with a shared commitment to conservation,” said Monarch Joint Venture Executive Director Wendy Caldwell. “The energy, collaboration, and cross-sector dialogue sparked during the summit will have a lasting impact as we work toward more unified, innovative, and resilient strategies to protect monarchs and their habitats across the continent.”
Honoring partners
The event also gave MJV the chance to honor some fantastic partners with its Monarch Joint Venture Partner Awards:
Keen Collaborator Award: Presented to San Diego Wildlife Alliance for their consistent, cross-sector leadership and collaboration in advancing monarch education, outreach, and zoo-based conservation.
Education Extraordinaire Award: Honoring Metro Blooms for hands-on, community-centered education that empowers communities to create pollinator habitat through native planting and sustainable landscaping.
Habitat Hero Award: Recognizing Apex Clean Energy for integrating habitat restoration into renewable energy development and supporting impactful conservation across thousands of acres.
Data Champion Award: Presented to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for their leadership in monarch monitoring, innovative data strategies, and advancing trinational collaboration in pollinator science.
Additional feedback from attendees
“The most special thing about the summit is the brotherhood and organization they have; Witness all the enormous work that civil society, academia and government do to protect the monarch butterfly. The inclusion of the entire public in its activities but especially focusing efforts with children so that they acquire the love and passion for the care of this emblematic species. The summit is a large family that has been formed to protect a species and ensure the permanence of an important phenomenon of nature. They are an example of united work as humanity, society and living beings who share this same planet.”
- Marco Antonio Castro Martinez, Regional Director, CONANP
"What made the North American Monarch Summit truly special for us at the CEC was witnessing the power of trinational collaboration in action. Coming together across borders with a shared commitment to strengthening monarch butterfly conservation was extremely inspiring and a reminder of our collective responsibility towards this iconic North American species. For us, the summit demonstrated how coordinated conservation efforts, community science, and cooperation can create meaningful impact towards achieving our shared goals.”
- Commission for Environmental Cooperation staff Georgina O’Farrill, Eleonor Fascilla, and Antoine Asselin-Nguyen
“At this critical time for establishing priorities for monarch conservation, the timing was perfect for hosting the 2025 North American Monarch Summit. A great opportunity for seasoned professionals and community scientists who have dedicated decades to this cause to network with colleagues from Canada, the U.S.A., and Mexico who share similar concerns and who bring fresh perspectives or knowledge to the table. We are all inspired to move forward with the hope that we can make a difference.”
- Donald Davis, Monarch Butterfly Fund Chair
“As a “veteran” of almost 30 years of monarch biology and conservation meetings, it was amazing to see so many old and new faces at the 2025 Summit. We’ve made a lot of progress and, while we still have to keep working to achieve our goals of monarch and habitat conservation, the energy from so many people in one room dedicated to these goals gives me hope.”
- Dr. Karen Oberhauser, Monarch Researcher and Monarch Butterfly Fund Board Member
“The most impactful part of the Monarch Summit for me was seeing Canada, the United States, and Mexico working together not as separate entities, but as one unified team stewarding the monarchs’ migratory route. Plus, everyone was performing such a labor of love with wholehearted dedication, it was inspiring to see exactly the kind of passion monarchs need from us today.”
- Shiran Herschcovich, Monarch Butterfly Fund Board Member
“In a time where so much of our work happens through screens, there’s something really meaningful about gathering face-to-face. The conversations feel more genuine, the energy is contagious, and those small, spontaneous moments end up being the most impactful. Being able to connect like that is priceless when it comes to building partnerships and moving forward together in monarch and pollinator conservation.”
- Robert Seilheimer, MJV Development Manager.
“For me it was getting to see the learning, connections, and collaboration happen with colleagues from all over North America (and in person!). Having the opportunity to see everyone again in person is so special, especially when it allows for quick introductions that can then lead into conversation and planning is rejuvenating.”
- Katie-Lyn Puffer, Monarch Joint Venture Education Manager