The eastern monarch butterfly has faced a rough ride. In the 2023–2024 winter season, their population plunged 59%, shrinking to just 2.2 acres of forest in central Mexico—one of the smallest ever recorded.

But there’s a flicker of good news: this year, their numbers nearly doubled to 4.4 acres. Improved weather and protected habitats gave them a boost.

Still, they’re far from safe. Monarchs need about 15 acres to be considered stable. With climate change, vanishing milkweed, and habitat loss still looming, conservation efforts remain crucial to keep these iconic migrations alive.

You can visit the Monarch Joint Venture to learn more about current conservation efforts.