In March, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) reopened the public comment period for the proposed listing of the monarch butterfly under the Endangered Species Act. If you have not done so already, now is the time to speak up and ensure your voice is heard.
Farmers, ranchers, and landowners not only play a critical role in monarch conservation, but also offer invaluable experience, insight, and expertise. For example, planting pollinator habitat, enrolling in voluntary conservation programs like the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) and understanding proper pesticide stewardship. Your on-the-ground experience as a farmer, rancher, and/or landowner is essential in helping the USFWS shape thoughtful, effective policy.
What’s Happening?
USFWS is collecting additional public input on the monarch’s status and conservation efforts nationwide. They want to hear from individuals and organizations with information about monarch populations, habitat, and conservation practices—including your firsthand insights.
Why It Matters:
Farmers play a pivotal role in monarch conservation. The proposed 4(d) rule included in the proposed listing is designed to provide flexibility, encouraging voluntary conservation practices that benefit monarchs without imposing undue restrictions on agricultural operations. This approach acknowledges the critical contributions of farmers in maintaining habitats essential for the survival of this iconic species. However, USFWS needs to hear from farmers and ranchers about the details of the proposed 4(d) rule, and so your voice is needed.
How to Comment:
- Visit this link: https://www.regulations.gov/document/FWS-R3-ES-2024-0137-68244
- Click “Comment”
The deadline to submit your comment is May 19, 2025.
If you haven’t already, we encourage you to read our previous resources about the Endangered Species Act, the proposed listing of the monarch, and the reopening of the comment period for more background. These resources are available through the ESA Listing Decision Toolkit on the Farmers for Monarchs website. There, farmers will find blog posts, audio articles, a PowerPoint presentation, videos and other resources related to this listing decision.