Natural History Wanderings

California State Parks Foundation News Release

As California Biodiversity Day approaches, California State Parks Foundation is asking the public to help observe and report sightings of western monarch butterflies. California Biodiversity Day is celebrated from September 6th to 14th. The data from these observations will help scientists understand where these butterflies are at different times of the year and will also help inform the upcoming 29th annual Western Monarch Count.

Millions of western monarchs used to return to coastal California every year, but the population has plummeted in recent decades. Numerous factors have contributed to this decline, including climate change, habitat loss, pesticides, and disease. The 28th annual Western Monarch Count found a peak population of 9,119 monarchs, the second-lowest overwintering population ever recorded since tracking began in 1997. A Species Status Assessmentpredicts a greater than 95% chance of extinction for western monarchs by 2080.

Read more Californians Urged to Observe and Report Monarch Butterfly Sightings | Cal Parks