Monarch Recovery Project
About the mrp
The Monarch Recovery Project is an effort to help save Western Monarch Butterflies (Danaus plexippus) through habitat restoration and free milkweed giveaways. With populations plummeting by over 85% in recent years, the Monarch is on the brink of extinction due to habitat loss and climate change.
Arroyos & Foothills Conservancy, in partnership with other conservation groups, is working to reverse this decline by providing free milkweed plants at our Milkweed Adoption events. These events educate the community on Monarchs, milkweed species, and how to support pollinators, while providing milkweed plants to help restore local habitats. We’re able to offer these community events and plant giveaways thanks to funding from the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy.Â
As part of the Monarch Recovery Project, we track where the milkweed is planted, monitor its survival, and measure its impact on Monarch populations with the help of biologists.
Check out our map below to see where milkweed from our giveaways have been planted. The red dots represent Narrow Leaf Milkweed (Asclepias fascicularis) plantings and blue dots represent Woolypod Milkweed (Asclepias eriocarpa) plantings.
Get involved
You can join the project by attending a Milkweed Adoption event, downloading our helpful guides, or watching our video on planting native milkweed in your own backyard!
Use the button below to sign-up milkweed giveaway alerts.
Learn More About Milkweed and Monarchs
FAQ
What is the Monarch migration?
The Monarch migration is one of nature’s most extraordinary phenomena. Each fall, monarchs travel to Mexico from the central and eastern U.S. and southern Canada to overwinter in forested areas near Mexico City. Monarchs from west of the Rocky Mountains migrate to the Pacific coast of California. These migrations face threats from habitat loss, climate change, and other factors. Check out this animated Monarch migration map for more insight.
Is my milkweed plant dead?
Don’t worry if you don’t see your milkweed during the winter months—it goes dormant from November to March. Continue watering (if there’s no rain), and it should return in spring. For tips on maintaining a successful pollinator garden, here’s a Monarch garden guide from the Monarch Joint Venture.
Why shouldn’t I plant tropical milkweed?
Tropical milkweed doesn’t die back in the fall, which disrupts Monarch migration and can spread disease. While it has attractive orange flowers, it’s not ideal for Monarchs. California native milkweed dies back in late fall, helping interrupt the lifecycle of a harmful Monarch parasite, O.E. (Ophryocystis elektroscirrha), which can deform or kill Monarchs. Learn more about tropical milkweed and its effects on Monarchs in the resources here: Q&A on tropical milkweed and Monarch parasites, Monarch Joint Venture
Is Milkweed Toxic?
Yes, milkweed can be toxic to small children and pets if ingested and may cause skin or eye irritation. Keep milkweed out of reach of children and pets. For more information, click here.
How do pesticides affect Monarchs?
Pesticides are the biggest danger to Monarchs. Monarchs are endangered by widespread herbicide use, particularly glyphosate (RoundUp), which destroys milkweed—the only plant monarchs use for egg-laying and caterpillar feeding. Another major concern is neonicotinoid insecticides (e.g., imidacloprid, clothianidin), which affect Monarch populations. Avoid these in garden products. Click here to learn more about how pesticides impact Monarchs.
Do other plants benefit Monarchs?
While Monarch caterpillars feed only on milkweed, adult butterflies rely on nectar from a variety of flowers. Supporting Monarchs means pairing native milkweed with native nectar plants, which also support other beneficial pollinators. For a list of native nectar plants, check out this pollinator guide from Theodore Payne.
Additional resources:
- Monarch Butterfly Habitat Creation in California: A Technical Field Guide
- Monarch Nectar Plants in California
More questions? Send an email to our Program Director, Kyle Cavazos.
