| Xerces director Scott Black has a straightforward prescription for keeping our skies filled with butterflies. “Butterflies need host plants on which to lay eggs, wildflowers on which to feed, a refuge from pesticides, and sites to overwinter. There is hope for these animals if we focus on providing habitat for butterflies across all landscapes, from cities and towns to agricultural lands to natural areas.” |
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Study Finds That US Butterfly Populations Are Severely Declining
A new study published last week in Science found that the total abundance of butterflies in the U.S. declined by 22% from 2000 to 2020. That means that for every five butterflies seen 20 years ago, now there are only four.
Co-authored by the Xerces Society and other members of the Status of Butterflies in the U.S. working group, the study is the most comprehensive assessment of U.S. butterfly population trends ever undertaken.
Learn more |
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Number of Monarchs Overwintering in Mexico Increases
World Wildlife Fund-Mexico and partners have announced that the number of monarchs overwintering in central Mexico has increased. The butterflies were found covering an area of 4.42 acres, up from last year’s total of 2.22 acres.
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Monarch Nectar Plant Guides
Providing nectar-rich flowers and milkweed host plants is one of the most significant actions you can take to support monarchs. Xerces provides a list of evidence-based, monarch-specific nectar plants for each region of the U.S. Find yours!
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Support Federal Protections for the Monarch Butterfly
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has proposed to list the iconic monarch butterfly as a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act. The Xerces Society invites you to join our letter advocating for strong federal protections for the monarch butterfly. Signatures are due by tomorrow, March 12! |
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| The Xerces Society is a donor-supported nonprofit organization that protects our world through the conservation of invertebrates and their habitats.
Your tax-deductible donation will help grow and sustain that essential work. |
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| Donation and membership questions:
membership
855-232-6639 (option 2) |
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| Photo credits from top, left: Candace Fallon, Xerces Society
© The Xerces Society |
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North Carolina Small Farm Association 