In the Headlines

The eastern migratory population of monarchs undertakes what is arguably the most dramatic example of insect migration known. Every year, three to five generations of monarch butterflies are needed to successfully complete their migration efforts spanning Mexico, United States and Canada and traverses thousands of miles.

Sadly, in recent decades, this migratory population has declined by more than 80% due to extensive loss of habitat throughout their breeding grounds and migratory path due to land-use changes

JEFFERSON CITY, MO, Oct. 12, 2022 – In a collaborative partnership with conservation stewards, the Missouri Soybean Merchandising Council (MSMC), Missouri Corn Merchandising Council (MCMC), Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC), MFA Incorporated, Pheasants Forever/Quail Forever and the Ecosystem Services Market Consortium (ESMC) are once again offering a biodiversity credit program to the Show-Me State’s growers.

September 14, 2022- Monarch migration is well underway. Catch up on the news for both Eastern and Western monarch populations.

September 1, 2022- By Holly Dentner

Your motivation comes from a good place. You want to try something new in your garden or yard. Something that gives you a burst of summer color, but is also environmentally beneficial, attracting pollinators or providing food for birds and other wildlife.

Columbia, MO, July 21, 2022- The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) announced on July 21, 2022, that the monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus plexippus) has entered the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species as Endangered. This listing will be the first time the monarch butterfly has officially been declared at risk of extinction. The IUCN is the leading global authority on the status of biological diversity. The IUCN Red List is one of many tools utilized in decision-making processes for public, private, and non-governmental organizations.

July 18, 2022- Since 2019, the Monarch Joint Venture (MJV) and National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) have collaborated on an extensive project to monitor monarchs and their habitat across the eastern U.S. The findings show conservation’s positive impact on breeding and nectar resources for monarchs and the monarchs themselves.

June 29, 2022- Over two days in June, monarch conservation experts, scientists, agency leaders, and policymakers convened in Washington D.C. for the first-ever Monarch Butterfly Summit co-hosted by the U.S. Department of the Interior and Senator Jeff Merkley (OR).

June 15, 2022- This is Journey North’s final Monarch & Milkweed news update for Spring 2022. Thank you for following along and sharing your observations. Please continue to report observations of adult monarchs, monarch eggs and larvae, and milkweed throughout summer.

During the 2021-2022 overwintering season, 10 colonies of Monarch Butterflies covered 2.835 hectares (ha) of forest, which represents a 35% increase from 2020 (2.10 ha).  Because it is impossible to count each butterfly, a survey is conducted to measure the area of forest the monarchs occupy each winter in their hibernation colonies, in Mexico, providing an indicator of their population status.

April 11, 2022– NRCS in Missouri encourages landowners in Northwest Missouri to apply for funding through the Program Restoring and Improving Monarch Ecosystems (PRIME) by May 20, 2022.