Imagine a world without the delicate, vibrant wings of monarch butterflies dancing across California’s landscapes. This isn’t just a hypothetical scenario, it’s a looming reality as these iconic insects face potential extinction by 2080.

The California State Parks Foundation is rallying Bay Area residents to become citizen scientists in the fight to save western monarch populations. With numbers plummeting dramatically, these butterflies, once millions strong along coastal California, now number just 9,119 in the latest winter count.

Climate change, habitat destruction, pesticide use, and disease are decimating monarch populations. Scientists predict a shocking 95% chance of western monarchs disappearing entirely within the next few decades.

But there’s hope, and it starts with you. The foundation is encouraging Californians to download the free iNaturalist app and start tracking butterfly sightings. It’s as simple as snapping a photo of a monarch butterfly or caterpillar and uploading it to the app.

Northern California plays a crucial role in monarch survival, serving as a primary breeding ground during summer months. By documenting these sightings, residents can provide critical data to researchers working to understand and protect these vulnerable insects.

“The western monarch butterfly is an iconic species for our state,” says Randy Widera, director of programs for California State Parks Foundation. “Californians have a key role to play in preserving this species”.

The foundation is also advocating for the western monarch to receive federal threatened species protection, a crucial step in ensuring their long-term survival.

This isn’t just about saving a beautiful insect, it’s about maintaining the delicate ecological balance that supports biodiversity in our region. Every photo, every observation, contributes to a larger understanding of these remarkable creatures.

Want to get involved? Download iNaturalist, start tracking monarchs, and join the conservation effort. Together, we can help prevent the silent disappearance of these incredible butterflies from California’s landscape.