Monarch butterflies are natural pollinators that keep our planet alive. Without their help many fruits and plants would be at risk. In the past 2 decades the monarch butterfly population has decreased by almost 90%, this is due to many factors. Such as habitat loss and loss of milkweed, a native plant that monarchs rely on for food and breeding grounds. “In 2014, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) was petitioned to protect the monarch butterfly under the Endangered Species Act” (wildlife.org). By doing so monarchs will receive protection under this act, allowing for their rehabilitation and the regrowth of the monarch population. 

This information is only relevant if people act on it. You can help by planting milkweed, steering clear of monarch habitats and naturally growing milkweed, planting flowers with large amounts of pollen to feed butterflies, and lastly and almost most importantly, spread awareness about the topic of all pollinators. This includes bees as well as butterflies. We live on this planet and should protect and support it, not damage it out of selfishness. 

Sources:

The return of monarch butterflies: Protection and restoration of milkweed habitat