If you’ve been worried about our beloved Monarchs, here’s a bit of good news to lift your wings: the eastern Monarch butterfly population nearly doubled this past winter! 🧡
According to a new report released from Mexico, these iconic pollinators covered 4.42 acres of forest in central Mexico during their 2024-2025 winter stay — up from just 2.22 acres the year before. While that’s not quite back to historical averages, it’s a solid step in the right direction.
🧐 What’s Behind the Bump?
Each year, the WWF-Mexico and Mexico's National Commission of Protected Natural Areas team up with local communities to track how much forest the Monarch colonies occupy. It's one of the best ways scientists can estimate population size — and this year’s jump is the biggest in a while.
So, what changed? The experts say better weather in 2024 helped a lot. There were fewer severe droughts along the butterflies' long journey from Canada and the U.S. to Mexico, making it easier for them to find food and rest stops along the way.
🚧 Not Out of the Woods Yet
Even with this hopeful surge, Monarch populations are still far below their long-term average. Forest habitat loss, pesticides, and climate change remain serious threats. As Jorge Rickards of WWF-Mexico puts it, "It’s now time to turn this year’s increase into a lasting trend.”
That means we can’t take our foot off the pedal just yet.
🌱 What Can You Do?
This is where you come in. Whether you’re planting native milkweed, avoiding pesticides, or spreading the word about conservation, your efforts truly matter.
Let’s keep the momentum going — so future generations can enjoy the magical migration of the Monarch for years to come.
