Following a coordinated effort in January, the Xerces Society released the results of the 28th annual Western Monarch Count, reporting a peak population of 9,119 monarchs this year. This is the second lowest overwintering population ever recorded since tracking began in 1997.

“The western monarch butterfly is one of the most recognizable species in California, and we are greatly distressed by the results of this year’s Western Monarch Count,” said Randy Widera, Director of Programs for California State Parks Foundation. “California State Parks Foundation has worked hard to protect and conserve monarch groves in state parks. We will continue this work, but we also must see monarchs listed as a Threatened species under the Endangered Species Act.”

The Monarch Count findings align with an analysis by California State Parks Foundation, which highlights the significant role state parks play in monarch conservation. Three of the top four overwintering sites for western monarchs are located in California state parks:

First: Lighthouse Field State Beach (1,406 monarchs)

Second: Natural Bridges State Beach (1,400 monarchs)

Fourth: Pismo State Beach (556 monarchs)

As the largest single land manager of these groves, California State Parks plays a vital role in the species’ conservation.

Millions of western monarchs used to return to coastal California every year, but the population has plummeted in recent decades, and fewer than 2,000 butterflies were counted in California in 2020. Numerous factors have contributed to this decline, including climate change, habitat loss, pesticides, and disease. The western monarch population had rebounded in the past couple of years, with almost 233,000 butterflies counted in 2023-2024.

Listing the monarch butterfly as a Threatened species under the U.S. Endangered Species Act is crucial, officials noted, as the latest Species Status Assessment predicts a greater than 95 percent chance of extinction for western monarchs by 2080. The proposed Threatened listing emphasizes the protection of overwintering groves—critical sites where monarchs return each year.

For more information about or to sign the California State Parks Foundation petition supporting the listing of the western monarch butterfly as threatened under the U.S. Endangered Species Act, visit: http://www.calparks.org/monarchthreat.

California State Parks Foundation, an independent, member-supported nonprofit with over 50 years of history, is dedicated to protecting and preserving the California state park system for the benefit of all. The Foundation works in parks and in Sacramento with partners, park staff, and policymakers to address the challenges parks face. Learn more at www.calparks.org, or find California State Parks Foundation on Facebook, or Instagram and Twitter/X (@calparks).