1. Prompt: The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service wants to bring more attention to the plight of the
monarch butterfly. Write a one-page communication piece that introduces this issue to the
general public, explaining threats and ways in which the public can help save the monarch
butterfly.
The monarch butterfly is arguably one of the most well-known creatures to flutter across
the North American landscape. They signify one of the greatest migration phenomena ever to
traverse our continent, with over a billion butterflies migrating from North America to Mexico
every year. However, these numbers have declined extensively over the last 20 years to consist
of numbers in the 30-50 millions. This offensive decline has brought awareness to the scientific
community that something needs to change in order to bring back the natural phenomena that is
this migration. Though seemingly impossible due to the extensive range of this butterfly, there
are things that the public can do to help bring back one of America’s most recognizable insects,
but first we will need to recognize the threats caused by our ever growing human population.
The plight of the monarch butterfly can be identified by the threats in which it faces. One
of the main threats that the public needs to be aware of is the decreasing milkweed population.
This native plant is where the butterfly’s life cycle begins. It is where the butterfly lay their eggs,
and, once hatched, it is the caterpillars’ sole source of food. This crucial plant has decreased in
population for several reasons, one of which being the increase of herbicide resistant corn and
soy beans. This transformation of crops has caused weeds to become an almost obsolete issue for
farmers, but with that removal of the weeds, including the essential milkweed, we have also
removed the habitat where the monarch butterfly thrives. Another threat to the expansion of the
monarch population is the loss of nectar plants. During the migration these insects need a
sustainable food source that of which is nectar producing plants. With this food source also being
depleted with the growth of infrastructure, the trek to Mexico becomes futile. Although there are
several threats to this iconic butterfly, there are ways to educate the public and help the plight of
these extraordinary creatures.
So, what can we do to help save one of North America’s most recognized butterfly? One
of the first things we can do is educate ourselves and our children. The Rosalynn Carter Butterfly
Trail, established in April 2013, raises awareness of the monarch’s plight and encourages the
conservation of butterflies and their habitats (fws.gov). This encouragement for the public to get
involved in helping to save the monarch butterfly’s habitat, and giving them a place to learn how
to do it, creates an area to expound on an interest while learning how to save these creatures. In
addition, planting your own butterfly garden or milkweed patch can also help by not only
creating awareness, but by leading by example and inviting others to join. Here is a very useful
link explaining how to start your own butterfly garden, so that you can be a part of the movement
to save one of North America’s ecological phenomena.
Being a part of something bigger than yourself is what saving this species is all about. If
we can get communities to work towards the same goal, there are hopes to bring back the

2. breathtaking numbers that these butterflies once flourished in. By taking little steps such as
protecting the essential milkweed plant, and creating spaces for these insects to feed we, the
public, are giving them access to regrowth. Monarch butterflies signify one of the greatest
migration phenomena ever to traverse our continent; let’s not allow something so easily
maintained to slip through the cracks of regrowth.
Works Cited
Gale, Michael, and Donita Cotter. "With Monarch Butterflies, Service and Partners Hope to
Replicate Success of Bald Eagle Recovery." Open Spaces Blog. U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Services, 28 Apr. 2015. Web. 17 Jan. 2016.
Gomez, Tom. "How to Start a Monarch Butterfly Garden at Home." Monarch Butterfly Garden.
Monarch Butterfly Garden, 17 May 2014. Web. 17 Jan. 2016.
Tom MackenzieConserving. "Fish and Wildlife Service Partners with Rosalynn Carter Butterfly
Trail to Save the Monarch Butterfly." U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services. U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Services, 15 June. 2015. Web. 17 Jan. 2016.