MONARCH JOINT VENTURE

Partnering to conserve an iconic butterfly

- MEGHAN SHINN

Above: Migrating monarchs pause on goldenrod in a Kansas field. Monarch Joint Venture facilitates the study of these insects and their travels.

THE MONARCH BUTTERFLY is perhaps the best-known pollinator in North America, thanks to its cross-continent range and, of course, its beautiful, easily recognized black-and-orange wings.

Sadly, this pollinator has also become well-known because of its declining population as it faces threats like habitat loss, pesticide use and climate change.

The plight of the monarch has inspired many of us to work toward a better understanding of its life cycle and needs, and to take related action to protect this iconic butterfly. If you’re interested in learning about and assisting the monarch, the Monarch Joint Venture is a can't-miss resource.

This organization follows the conservation joint venture model, which originated in 1986 with the establishment of the North American Waterfowl Management Plan. That project coordinated various regional organizations in their efforts to protect wetlands and the birds that rely on them. With the success of the waterfowl program, joint ventures became the go-to setup for bird conservation.

Because monarch butterflies have a life cycle similar to that of birds and they face many of the same challenges, including habitat loss, it made sense to apply the model to their conservation, too. Thus, in 2008 Monarch Joint Venture (MJV) was founded.