The federal process to determine what protections the monarch butterfly should receive under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) has been delayed, according to recent reporting from the Associated Press.
The US Fish and Wildlife announced in December 2024 that it was proposing to list the monarch as a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act. USFWS historically has up to a year to make a final determination after considering public comments and additional scientific information. However, the Associated Press reported that the administration listed the decision process for the monarch as a “long-term action” in a September report.
The delay does not change the ongoing scientific work or data collection related to monarch populations, nor does it alter existing conservation efforts already underway across public and private lands. Instead, it extends the federal decision-making process and leaves the timeline for next steps uncertain.
Farmers for Monarchs will continue to follow developments in the federal review process, share updates as new information becomes available, and provide resources that support practical, voluntary conservation actions on working lands. We remain committed to keeping our community informed as the ESA review process moves forward.