Ageratum Monarch Magic (Ball FloraPlant) | Michigan State University
Farmers for Monarchs encourages growers to continue their conservation efforts for the monarch butterfly following the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s (USFWS) proposal to list the species as threatened under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). The agriculture community’s ongoing contributions are essential to monarch habitat preservation, and those efforts continue during this decision process. Additionally, growers will have an opportunity to participate in the 90-day comment period. A final decision is expected within a year of the proposed ruling.
“Farmers and landowners play a critical role in monarch conservation, and this threatened listing proposal provides a pathway for collaborative efforts that benefit monarch populations. This is the next step in a process that will take another year to reach a final decision. During this time, we strongly encourage farmers to develop new habitat projects or continue the voluntary monarch conservation initiatives already deployed on their land,” says Matt Mulica, Senior Project Director at Keystone Policy Center, which facilitates Farmers for Monarchs. “Today’s proposed rule also affords farmers the opportunity to weigh in during the public comment period. Farmers for Monarchs is committed to ensuring farmers have relevant information to share their voices and perspectives.”
A Year-Long Process Toward a Final Decision on Monarch Butterfly Status
The threatened designation proposal for the monarch reflects the need for strong conservation measures while maintaining regulatory flexibility* that balances species protection with existing land uses. A public 90-day comment period will open on Dec. 12, 2024, and will close on March 12, 2025. Farmers will play a pivotal role during the comment period in shaping any final regulatory policy. The proposed rule details and documents can be read, and comments submitted, by visiting www.regulations.gov and searching under docket number FWS-R3-ES-2024-0137.
“The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is proposing protection for one of the nation’s most beloved species — the monarch butterfly — and is encouraging the public to be part of its recovery. The Service is seeking public input on a proposal to list the species as threatened with species-specific protections and flexibilities to encourage conservation under section 4(d) of the Endangered Species Act (ESA). Public comments will be accepted on the proposal until March 12, 2025. The Service will then evaluate the comments and any additional information on the species and determine whether to list the monarch butterfly,” writes the USFWS in its news release.
USFWS has up to a year to make a final determination after considering public comments and additional scientific information. Once the final listing has occurred, the species is afforded the designated protections under the ESA.
Farmers, landowners, and land managers will have access to resources and guidance from Farmers for Monarchs to help navigate the listing decision process and explore opportunities to participate in monarch-friendly programs that align with monarch conservation goals. These resources are available through the ESA Listing Decision Toolkit on the Farmers for Monarchs website. There, farmers can find blog posts, audio articles, a PowerPoint presentation, videos, and other resources related to this listing decision.
*The ESA allows for special rules under Section 4(d) to tailor protections to the specific needs of a species that has been designated as threatened. The 4(d) rule can modify or exempt certain prohibitions to balance conservation efforts with economic impacts, for example. This flexibility can incentivize positive proactive conservation actions. This also means public involvement can play a critical role in shaping regulatory policy that would come with a proposed rule. Learn more about the 4(d) rule here: https://farmersformonarchs.org/the-4d-rule-and-critical-habitat-explained-flexible-conservation-benefiting-the-monarch-and-the-farmer/
