Each winter and spring, volunteers fan out across the West to count monarch butterflies. Sadly the numbers remain far below historic levels. Recent counts along the California coast show populations hovering near record lows, a warning sign for this iconic migrator. Yet, there is hope when people act. You can join community counts through the Western Monarch Count, or log sightings with projects like the Western Monarch and Milkweed Mapper.

At home, plant regionally native milkweeds and nectar flowers, avoid pesticides, and leave messy corners in your yard for wildlife. Supporting parks and land trusts that protect overwintering groves and migration corridors helps monarchs complete their remarkable journey for years to come. Sign up with the Xerces Society to help with this year’s monarch count.