Monarch Joint Venture Blog
Breeding monarch numbers, conditions along migratory path bode well for fall migration
Fall migration has begun, with the first roost reports coming in from places like North Dakota, Minnesota, Ontario, and Michigan. Strong numbers reported by community scientists and favorable conditions for traveling monarchs are welcome news for monarchs as they begin their travels south. Read More
Eastern Monarch Numbers Increase, But Conservation Efforts Still Critical
The eastern monarch butterfly population in Mexico’s oyamel fir forests this past winter occupied 1.79 hectares, according to the latest survey released by the World Wildlife Fund-Telmex Telcel Foundation Alliance (WWF) and the National Commission of Protected Natural Areas in Mexico (CONANP). This represents a 99% increase from last year’s 0.9 hectares in the 2023-2024 overwintering season. Read More
Western Monarch Population Continues to Decline
The 28th annual Western Monarch Count has reported a peak population of just 9,119 butterflies this winter. Read More
Eastern Monarch Butterfly Population Falls to Less than One Hectare in the 2023-2024 Overwintering Season
Monarch butterflies occupied 0.9 hectares, 1.31 less than the 2.21 hectares in the 2022-2023 overwintering season. This is the first time since the 2013-2014 overwintering season that the eastern monarch population has occupied less than one hectare. Read More
Western Monarch Count Declines
Over 400 volunteers surveyed 256 overwintering sites this winter, tallying a total of 233,394 monarch butterflies across the western overwintering sites. Read More