Monarchs on the move: Butterflies, gardens and a migration that tells a bigger story

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Monarch butterflies are back in motion, fluttering their way through Texas on a 3,000-mile journey that is part science, part magic, and all heart. While their wings may be delicate, their story is anything but.

This fall, as monarchs head south toward the mountains of Michoacán, Mexico, they’re not just chasing warmer weather — they’re chasing survival. Their population has plummeted by more than 90% in recent decades. But thanks to a unique partnership between national homebuilder Taylor Morrison and the National Wildlife Federation, hope is growing in neighborhoods across the country.

“We are at a really special time of year right now because we are entering the fall migration of the monarch butterfly,” said Maria Fowler, climate resilient habitat director with the National Wildlife Federation.

Conservation in your backyard

Taylor Morrison isn’t just building homes — they’re building habitats. Through their partnership with NWF, they have installed 130 certified monarch butterfly gardens nationwide, each filled with native milkweed (the only plant monarch caterpillars eat) and nectar-rich blooms.

“Conservation is a key initiative for Taylor Morrison,” said Michael Slack, vice president of land development. “We try to set aside as many natural habitats as we can… We have certified roughly 9,000 acres of open space.”

These gardens aren’t just pretty, they’re powerful. Monarchs use them like pit stops on a road trip, refueling with nectar and laying eggs on milkweed before continuing their epic migration.

“It’s kind of like a car filling up in a gas station,” Fowler said. “They need to be filled up with fuel to be able to keep going.”

Texas, the heart of the monarch highway

Texas plays a big role in this migration. Monarchs funnel through the state on their way to Mexico, making it a critical link in the Monarch Highway — a conservation corridor along I-35 that stretches from Minnesota to Michoacán.

The butterflies are making a comeback, according to previous KXAN coverage. Monarchs wintering in Mexico nearly doubled this year, covering 4.4 acres compared to 2.2 acres the year before.

“They are very highly visible species,” Fowler said, “It’s a species that has captured the imagination of people for generations.”

Small gardens, BIG impact

Whether it’s a schoolyard, a backyard, or a patio garden, monarchs aren’t picky — they will stop anywhere with native plants.

“If you build it, they will come,” Fowler said. “Small spaces really do make a difference.”

Each certified garden must include food, shelter, water, and a place to raise young, as well as sustainable gardening practices, such as avoiding the use of pesticides.

“We encourage homeowners and landowners to forego the use of pesticides to help recover the species,” Fowler added.

Monarchs & Hispanic Heritage Month

This is where science meets soul. Monarchs don’t just migrate during Hispanic Heritage Month — they arrive in Mexico just in time for Dia De Los Muertos, where they are believed to represent the return of ancestors’ spirits.

“It is my understanding that butterflies symbolize the return of the souls of their ancestors,” Slack said.

“It’s got such a rich cultural history for many cultures,” Fowler added. “And it also holds a place in people’s imagination because they’ve grown up with it.”

How to help the Monarchs

You do not need a green thumb to help these beautiful creatures throughout their journey — a little space and a lot of heart go a long way. Visit the NWF’s website to learn how to plant your own butterfly garden, find native plants by ZIP code, and join the movement to protect these winged wonders.