Californians encouraged to report monarch butterfly sightings for Biodiversity Day

SAN DIEGO, Calif. (FOX 5/KUSI) — As California Biodiversity Day approaches, the California State Parks Foundation is calling on residents across the state — including right here in San Diego — to help protect the iconic western monarch butterfly by simply snapping a photo and sharing it.

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Celebrated from Sept. 6 to 14, California Biodiversity Day recognizes the state’s natural diversity. This year, the public is being asked to participate by observing and reporting monarch butterfly sightings using the free iNaturalist app, a community science tool that helps researchers track biodiversity.

Why it matters

Once numbering in the millions, western monarchs have experiences staggering decline in recent decades due to climate change, habitat lose, pesticides, and disease. The most recent Western Monarch Count recorded just 9,119 monarchs, the second-lowest total since surveys began in 1997.

A grim Species Status Assessment predicts a 95% chance of extinction for western monarchs by 208 of no significant action is taken.

“The western monarch butterfly is an iconic species for our state,” said Randy Widera, director of programs for the California State Parks Foundation. “Californians have a key role to play in the preservation of this species, from helping scientists track where the butterflies are located to advocating for the protection of their habitat.”

Participating in the monarch observation effort helps researchers better understand butterflies and also contributes to efforts to maintain the species. It’s also very simple. Here’s how to help:

1. Download the iNaturalist app and create an account
2. Take a photo of a monarch butterfly or caterpillar
3. Upload your observation to iNaturalist

“We’re encouraging Californians to get involved by taking a few easy steps to report monarch butterfly sightings,” said Widera.

Monarch hotspots in California

According to officials with the California State Parks Foundation, several state parks serve as key overwintering sites — essential rest stops that allow monarchs to survive the colder months before migrating north in the spring. These groves provide the perfect balance of shelter, sunlight and nectar that monarchs need.

In San Diego County, monarchs can often be spotted in Torrey Pines Natural Reserve. And then just slightly north in Orange County, sightings are also prominent at San Clemente State Park, and Doheny State Beach.

Other well-know sites across the state, as noted by the California State Parks Foundation, include:

• Pismo State Beach
• Natural Bridges State Beach
• Lighthouse Field State Beach
• Morro Bay State Park
• Montaña de Oro State Park
• Point Mugu State Park
• Leo Carrillo State Park
• Point Mugu State Park
• Pismo State Beach
• And several more along the California coast

Long-term conservation efforts

The California State Parks Foundation has invested in monarch habitat restoration, helped develop grove management plans, and organized volunteer events where community members plant native nectar plants critical for monarch survival.

The organization is also advocating for western monarchs to be added to the Endangered Species Act as a threatened species. Californians can support this effort by signing the petition at calparks.org/monarchthreat.

With over 50 years of history, the California State Parks Foundation is a nonprofit dedicated to protecting and preserving the state park system. Learn more at www.calparks.org or follow @calparks on social media.