Efforts By Utahns and Others Is Helping Increase the Monarch Butterfly Population

There was a time when summers in Utah would be sprinkled with monarch butterflies moving in and out of native plants as they did their pollinating work. The numbers of monarchs have gone down almost every year, but in 2025 they have doubled from the year before. 

Eastern Monarch Butterflies Have Returned to Mexico in Higher Numbers 

Even though the butterflies returning to Mexico are not at the level they once were, the numbers being seen are double what they were in 2024. The insects return to warmer climates from colder areas in the United States including Utah. 

There have been significant efforts to preserve natural habitat in Mexico and for local communities to provide plants and habitat to help the butterflies survive and thrive. With the increase of monarchs returning, these efforts may be paying off. 

Here’s What You Can Do to Help Monarch Butterflies Where You Live 

These butterflies lay their eggs on milkweed. When they hatch, the caterpillars feed on the plant until they form a chrysalis. Insecticides and herbicides have diminished the availability of this plant as well as other plants the butterflies get nectar from. 

Planting milkweed in your yard can attract monarch butterflies. You can also participate in the Monarch Blitz by observing any monarch activity in the area around you and reporting it. This information is helpful to researchers.

Read More: Experts Say Utahns Should Hunt & Eat This Invasive Frog

Monarch butterflies travel thousands of miles every year pollinating plants. They have a big impact on the health of the forests in the west. Seeing their numbers increase this year is encouraging.