United States Endangered Species Act Status

History of the Monarch Butterfly Listing Process under the Endangered Species Act (ESA)

North America's eastern and western migratory monarch populations have faced significant threats from habitat loss, pesticide exposure, and climate change, sparking debates and actions around their conservation status. The effort to list the monarch butterfly under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) has been a long and complex process driven by growing concerns over the species' decline.

It is important to emphasize that any listing decision is based on the careful review of multiple years of data and scientific research and is not made in response to short-term trends or immediate concerns.

Timeline at a Glance

2014- Petition and 90-day finding
2015 - 2018- Species Status Assessment Monarch Conservation Database
December 2020- "Warranted, but precluded"
December 2024- Proposed rule, if still warranted

Timeline in Detail

Early Awareness of Decline

Monarch butterflies have been studied for decades, but in the late 20th and early 21st centuries, widespread alarm was raised about their declining numbers. Researchers and conservationists began documenting significant declines in monarch populations, showing a steep decline in both overwintering populations and prompting conservationists to sound the alarm about the monarch’s vulnerability.

2014 ESA Petition and 90-day Finding

The formal push to protect the monarch butterfly under the Endangered Species Act began in August 2014, when the Center for Biological Diversity, the Center for Food Safety, The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation, and a leading monarch researcher, Dr. Lincoln Brower, filed a petition with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). This petition requested “that the Service list the monarch as a threatened species with a 4(d) rule, which would allow for protection of the monarch but also still permit activities to continue that promote the conservation of the species, such as scientific research and monitoring, citizen monitoring and tagging, and non-commercial classroom and household rearing of monarchs for educational purposes.”

In December 2014, the USFWS “found the petition presented substantial scientific or commercial information that indicated listing the monarch may be warranted (79 FR 78775) and initiated a range-wide status review.”

Read the original petition here.

2015 - 2018: Species Status Assessment and Monarch Conservation Database

Following the petition and 90-day finding, the USFWS initiated a review process involving a comprehensive assessment of the monarch butterfly’s population trends, threats, and conservation needs. This process took several years as the USFWS sought to gather and analyze data, consult with stakeholders, and assess the scientific basis for listing the species.

During this time, the monarch butterfly became a symbol of broader conservation efforts, with numerous non-governmental organizations, schools, and communities launching initiatives to support monarch habitat restoration. Public awareness and involvement in monarch conservation soared, with people planting milkweed and nectar plants, reducing pesticide use, and contributing to community science programs to track monarch migration.

2020 Species Status Assessment Published and Ruling Announced “Warranted but Precluded” Decision

In September 2020, the USFWS published findings in the Monarch (Danaus plexippus) Species Status Assessment Report. In December 2020, the USFWS announced its long-awaited decision regarding the monarch butterfly's listing status under the ESA; The Service determined listing the monarch as an endangered species was warranted but precluded by higher-priority listing actions for other species in greater immediate danger of extinction.

This decision categorized the monarch butterfly as a candidate species. The USFWS will review its status each year until they can finalize and publish a notice in the Federal Register, a daily Federal Government publication, to list the monarch under the ESA if still warranted. This listing proposal is anticipated to be submitted by December 2024.

You can read the December 2020 announcement here.

Anticipated proposed rule, December 2024

The USFWS is expected to announce a decision by mid-December on whether listing the monarch butterfly under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) is still warranted, and if yes, whether they should be listed as “threatened” or “endangered”. This ruling is a pivotal moment for monarch conservation, as it will determine if additional federal protections will be extended. What happens if the USFWS determines a listing for the monarch butterfly is still warranted in December?

If the USFWS determines the monarch butterfly listing is still warranted, it means monarchs meet the criteria for being listed as either “threatened” or “endangered” under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). If the listing is no longer warranted, the process ends.

If the USFWS determines that a listing for the monarch butterfly is still warranted, a formal process will follow:

Publish the proposal and open public comment period- The USFWS will publish a proposed rule in the Federal Register, outlining the listing and any additional provisions, such as a proposed 4(d) rule or critical habitat designation. This will open a public comment period, typically lasting 60 days, where anyone can provide input.
One year to review and finalize the 4(d) rule- After the public comment period, the USFWS has one year to review the input and scientific data before making a final decision. The options include listing the monarch as “endangered” or “threatened” or deciding not to list the species. If the monarch is listed as threatened, the USFWS may also finalize the 4(d) rule, which could offer exceptions for certain activities that contribute to the conservation of the species. Additionally, the agency may designate critical habitat for monarchs, which would be finalized within one year after the proposed rule.
Final rule- Once the final rule is published in the Federal Register, it becomes effective 30 to 60 days later. If the monarch is officially listed, it will be afforded protections under the ESA. These protections typically include prohibitions on harming, harassing, or killing the species, though the finalized 4(d) rule may provide certain exceptions. The listing will also trigger the development of recovery plans and habitat conservation efforts to ensure the monarch's survival and the restoration of its habitats.

ESA listing process graphic, courtesy of the U.S Fish and Wildlife Service.

Ongoing Conservation Efforts

Conservation efforts across North America have steadily advanced, with federal and state agencies, non-profits, landowners, and local communities working together to restore habitats. These collaborations emphasize areas essential for monarchs' breeding, migration, and overwintering, aiming to boost milkweed planting and encourage pollinator-friendly practices. Various U.S. programs and organizations are also actively promoting monarch conservation through these initiatives.

It's important to note that under the ESA, funds are shared across all threatened and endangered species, so new funding is not automatically allocated when a species is listed. This emphasizes that the ESA is just one of many essential tools for monarch conservation, underscoring the importance of supporting broader legislation and initiatives dedicated to protecting monarchs and pollinator habitats.

Additional Links and Resources

ESA and Monarchs

ESA General

Endangered Species Act Main Webpage