The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service recently announced an extension of the deadline to determine whether the monarch butterfly is warranted for listing under the Endangered Species Act. The new deadline, December 15, 2020, was originally June 30, 2019. The federal court and current litigants agreed to the extension. It should be noted that the monarch is not currently listed under ESA.
Despite the delay, conservation efforts to help the monarch survive and thrive are important as ever. Conservation and restoration of native species – including milkweed and a variety of early- and late-blooming forbs – will provide habitat for monarch butterflies, bees and other pollinators. Monarch butterflies face many challenges including the loss of milkweed and nectar sources in its spring and summer breeding ranges. Female adult monarchs lay eggs exclusively on milkweed plants......
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