Ian Brickey, ian.brickey@sierraclub.org
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced it would consider protections for the monarch butterfly under the Endangered Species Act.
In a press release, the Fish and Wildlife Service said it planned to propose listing the butterfly as a threatened species under Section 4(d) of the Endangered Species Act. The agency also indicated it would consider designating critical habitat at the species’ overwintering grounds in California.
The proposed protections come at a critical time for the iconic species, famous for its distinctive orange and black coloring. Since the 1980s, the population of western migratory monarch butterflies is estimated to have dropped by more than 95%. The eastern migratory population, which once numbered an estimated 380 million, has declined by approximately 80%. The species does not currently enjoy any federal protections.
In response, Dan Ritzman, director of conservation at Sierra Club, released the following statement:
“This is exactly what Congress had in mind when it overwhelmingly passed the Endangered Species Act a half century ago. For thirty years, we’ve watched the population of monarch butterflies collapse. It is clear that monarchs cannot thrive – and might not survive – without federal protections. We urge the Fish and Wildlife Service to act now and preserve a future that includes this iconic species.”
About the Sierra Club
The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with millions of members and supporters. In addition to protecting every person's right to get outdoors and access the healing power of nature, the Sierra Club works to promote clean energy, safeguard the health of our communities, protect wildlife, and preserve our remaining wild places through grassroots activism, public education, lobbying, and legal action. For more information, visit www.sierraclub.org.