These eye-catching orange and black butterflies have long been a symbol of endurance and transformation. But from habitat loss to climate change, monarchs are now facing a myriad of large-scale challenges that have contributed to their dwindling population over the years. The species was officially deemed endangered last month by the International Union for Conservation of Nature, and it’s clear that these pretty insects need more help from humans to survive.
Experts say we need major policy changes to fully address the threats facing monarchs, but that doesn’t mean the average person can’t lend a hand.
Taking steps to make your garden more monarch-friendly has the multifold benefit of giving these particular butterflies a place to snack and lay their eggs, while helping other pollinators along the way.
“What we do for monarchs — which is protecting and restoring habitat and managing pesticide use so we’re not poisoning areas — really helps this broad suite of animals that live in the same habitats,” Scott Hoffman Black, executive director of the Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation, told PBS News Weekend. “So it’s neat — we can recover this butterfly and help many other species at the same time.”
This #shorts was produced and edited by Megan McGrew, Isabella Isaacs-Thomas, Julia Griffin, Molly Finnegan and Dan Cooney.
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