Press Release: Urgent Call for Public Input on the Monarch Butterfly Conservation
As summer brings out the beauty of monarch butterflies across North Dakota, concerns about their future are prompting action. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) has reopened the public comment period for a proposed rule to list the monarch butterfly as a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act. This extension provides an opportunity for individuals and organizations to share insights until May 19, 2024.
The gradual decline of monarch populations is primarily due to habitat loss, particularly the decrease in milkweed, their exclusive caterpillar food source, and native prairies that offer nectar for adults. Factors such as pesticide usage and herbicide application during sensitive periods also threaten their survival.
To combat these issues, researchers recommend concerted management efforts, including developing pollinator habitats, safeguarding native prairies, and avoiding harmful pesticide practices. The USFWS emphasizes that public comments play a crucial role in shaping conservation initiatives.
Interested parties can submit comments via regulations.gov, searching for docket number FWS-R3-ES-2024-0137. To learn more about monarch conservation efforts, visit fws.gov/monarch.
The future of the monarch butterfly hangs in the balance, and collective action is essential for its preservation.
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