What's Next after the Monarch Announcement

Surprised. Shocked. Worried. Concerned. Motivated.

These are words I heard from people as they learned the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) announced their conclusion that listing the monarch butterfly under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) is “warranted but precluded”. In other words, monarchs warrant a listing as “threatened” or “endangered” under the Endangered Species Act, but there are currently higher priority listing actions that take precedence.

At the same time, the Service noted that the species is facing “imminent” threats and is becoming more vulnerable to catastrophic events. The USFWS found the probability of extinction over the next 30 years may be as high as 46% for the eastern population (nearly a 50:50 chance) and up to 95% for the western population (highly likely). This hits home. When my kids grow to my age, there may be no western monarch population, and finding monarchs in the East may be a rarer sight.

So now what?

USFWS is required to address other, higher priority listing decisions first and is not scheduled to issue a proposed rule to list the monarch until 2024. Until then, USFWS will continue evaluating the need for listing the species on an annual basis until either a proposed listing rule is published or a "not warranted" finding is made. Although USFWS has stated a 2024 deadline for the monarch decision, it is possible that they could expedite a listing sooner. As noted in their Q&A on the announcement, if a change in status is warranted, USFWS can take further action, including making prompt use of emergency listing procedures.

What can we do in the meantime?

Earlier this year, USFWS approved the Nationwide CCAA for Monarch Butterfly on Energy and Transportation Lands. Large, voluntary, low cost, and low risk programs like this are now more important than ever to reverse these losses. Without more conservation, continued declines and a listing under the ESA are almost certain. This is our chance to turn the tide.

If you work in energy or transportation - I encourage you to consider enrolling in the Monarch CCAA to track the good work you may already be doing, motivate a change in practices where needed, and promote large-scale conservation for monarchs.

If you are not eligible, or are not in a position to enroll - encourage others, and build on the example provided by the Monarch CCAA to commit to your own conservation.

We can all make a difference.

Learn more about the USFWS announcement at https://www.fws.gov/savethemonarch/SSA.html

Learn more about the Monarch CCAA at https://rightofway.erc.uic.edu/national-monarch-ccaa/

#MonarchCCAA #rowhabitat #Cardno