WHY DOES THE OKLAHOMA MONARCH CONSERVATION PLAN EXIST?

Over the past few decades, monarch butterfly populations have plummeted at an alarming rate due to habitat loss and other factors. In response, large international, national, regional, and state conservation efforts have mobilized to restore and enhance monarch habitat across North America. Major collaborative efforts – such as the Mid-American Monarch Conservation Strategy and the Western Monarch Butterfly Conservation Plan – outline ambitious goals for adding milkweed stems and improving habitat at landscape scales.

States, federal agencies, tribes, industry partners, and communities across the country are contributing through habitat restoration, rights-of-way initiatives, conservation programs, and public awareness campaigns. These coordinated, ‘all-hands on deck’, cross-sector actions are expected to influence the future Endangered Species Act listing decision, and are our best hope of boosting monarch populations. Oklahoma’s statewide plan exists to align with these broad, cross-sector efforts and to guide coordinated actions within the state that will help sustain and recover this iconic migratory species.

WHO IS THE ACTION PLAN GOING TO SERVE?

This cross-sector, statewide plan guides actions across various land types and encourages collaboration across different audiences. It will serve communities throughout the state interested in pollinator conservation including residents, businesses, municipalities, state agencies, private landowners, utility companies, landscapers, plant nurseries, researchers, biologists, non-governmental organizations, educational institutions, media, and more.

WHY IS IT IMPORTANT TO THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA?

Pollinators are vital to Oklahoma’s economy and environment. They sustain the state’s agriculture by pollinating key crops like alfalfa (which supports the livestock industry) and drive native ecosystem biodiversity. According to the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food, and Forestry, pollinators contribute over $157 million annually to the state’s economy. 

The Monarch butterfly is a key flagship species for conservation, acting as a charismatic ambassador to empower the public to take action for pollinators. Biologists refer to monarchs as the “Canary in the Coalmine” meaning their declining population serves as a warning sign about the health of the broader ecosystem. Efforts to protect monarchs benefit other pollinators, bees, birds, and native wildlife. 

At this time, there is no other entity in Oklahoma leading the way with a conservation plan to save the monarch butterflies. However, there are ample organizations, government agencies, businesses and more who are doing the work. This Action Plan is important to not only organize and track existing efforts, but also to acknowledge the work that others are already doing. 

And lastly, Oklahoma is centrally located in the monarch migratory path making it a vital crossroads and breeding ground for the eastern monarch butterfly, serving as a critical pitstop during both their spring and fall migrations. Its central position in the flyway makes it essential for refueling, breeding and sustaining future generations of the species.