With the western population at such a critically low level, work to improve monarch habitat in California is more important than ever.
Protecting overwintering sites from destruction and increasing both milkweed and nectar habitat within the monarch’s first stopover zone—the region where the first generation of monarchs go after leaving overwintering sites (shown in pale blue in the map above)—are two of the highest priority actions that can be taken. To determine what actions are most appropriate for different regions of California, please consult this map.
- Find additional resources for managing habitat for monarchs in California here.
- Learn how to improve habitat for all pollinators in California by consulting the Xerces Pollinator Conservation Resource Center.
- Read more about how to help recover the western monarch population at savewesternmonarchs.org.