Dear John,
Monarch butterfly populations in the West have declined to an all-time record low for the second year in a row. They’re quickly being pushed to the brink of extinction.
This is happening in part due to pesticides like Monsanto’s Roundup® -- but also because monarch habitats are shrinking. In the last 5 years, at least 20 monarch resting sites have been damaged or destroyed.
The good news: Congress recently introduced the MONARCH Act of 2020. If passed, it could allow every state to create protected habitats that help monarch populations recover. But our Representatives will only act if they feel pressure from constituents like you. And we must act fast!
Stop monarch butterflies from being driven to extinction: Tell Congress to pass the 2020 MONARCH Act!
What used to be a roaring river of butterflies migrating to Mexico each year is now a trickle. In 1997, there were nearly 1.2 million monarchs sighted. Several years ago, there were 200,000 - 300,000 sightings. But in 2019, scientists found only 29,418 monarchs across 240 habitats.
These precious pollinators are fading far too quickly due to increased habitat loss and pesticide use. Across the country, monarch habitat is being destroyed, and Big Ag is poisoning milkweed, the only food source for young caterpillars, with Monsanto’s RoundUp.
Scientists say monarchs are teetering on the threshold needed to keep populations from complete collapse. And the decline of monarchs could have a ripple effect throughout already fragile ecosystems.
Protecting current habitats and creating new ones is something we can do right now to help monarch populations.
The Monarch Act of 2020 is one of many protections we need to restore these essential pollinators. It establishes a fund of up to $12,500,000 from 2021 to 2025 which provides grants for states to build new monarch habitats. Your Representative could be part of solving the monarch crisis, but they will only act and support this bill if they feel pressure from engaged environmentalists like you, John!
Help establish monarch sanctuaries: Tell your Representative to support the 2020 MONARCH Act!
The loss of monarchs is happening around the country and around the world -- but it hits home at a local level. Last fall, a farm in Freemont, California counted only 1 butterfly -- down from 25,000 in 1997. And Alameda County found only 31 butterflies at Albany Hill, down from 1,000 monarchs in 1997.
Every day Congress refuses to act, monarchs are pushed closer to extinction. We must show our legislators the groundswell of grassroots support for protecting monarchs!
Help send 30,000 messages: Tell your Representative to protect monarchs from extinction!
Standing with you,
Jason Davidson,
Food and agriculture campaigner
Friends of the Earth
