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The number of monarchs overwintering throughout coastal California this fall/winter has set new record lows.  The number of monarchs for the annual Thanksgiving count in the Pacific Grove Sanctuary has been particularly dismal: zero.  However, a few monarchs (total 4) have been spotted in recent mid-afternoons by yours truly.  However, the number is way fewer …

Record low number of monarchs overwintering in Coastal California in 2020 Read More »

Leave the leaves! As the weather (finally) turns colder on the Central Coast we are faced with the annual question: What should we do with all that leaf and stick litter?  If your priority is to protect the habitat for monarchs and other pollinators the answer may surprise you!  Here are some helpful tips courtesy …

Leave the leaves! Read More »

Each year the City of Pacific Grove Commissions a report from Creekside Science including recommendations for management activities within the Pacific Grove Monarch Sanctuary.  Comments on the report can be submitted to Caleb Schneider ([email protected]), Management Analyst at the City of Pacific Grove Public Works Department, and to the City Council ([email protected]).  The City must …

Now is the time to review and comment on the 2020 Pacific Grove Monarch Sanctuary Management Plan! Read More »

The Mexican States of Mexico and Michoacán are home to monarchs overwintering from Eastern North America.  There has been conflict between groups wanting to exploit the forested lands that are the winter home for monarchs and the government and conservationists wanting to protect this critical habitat.  Homero Gomez Gonzalez was a former logger who later …

Tribute to Homero Gomez Gonzalez Read More »

Follow the link below to a cover story in the Monterey County Weekly about the challenges facing the Pacific Grove Monarch Sanctuary. Monterey County Weekly article, December 5, 2019    

January 27, 2020 Emma Pelton of the Xerces Society released a statement today about the urgent need for action to reverse the loss of critical monarch overwintering sites along the California coast.  The complete article can be found here on the Xerces website: https://xerces.org/blog/vanishing-butterfly-groves-of-california Ms. Pelton emphasizes the vital role that California’s overwintering sites have …

The Vanishing Butterfly Groves of California Read More »

Dr. David G. James of Washington State University gave a presentation on the effects of widespread use of neonicitinoid insecticides (neonics) on monarch butterflies and other invertebrate species at the 2020 Western Monarch Summit, held January 10 – 12, 2020.  Neonics are currently the most widely used pesticides in the world.  Neonics were developed in …

Effects of neonicitinoid insecticides on Western monarchs Read More »

Coincident with their release of the Thanksgiving Count data on January 23, 2020, the Xerces Society released a report entitled “Western Monarchs in Crisis” which you can read in its entirety at the following link: https://xerces.org/western-monarch-call-to-action The report begins with a summary of the current crisis and factors that have contributed to the historic decline …

Top 5 Actions to Save Western Monarchs Read More »

The following is a letter sent on January 15, 2020 to all members of the Pacific Grove City Council and the Beautification and Natural Resources Committee regarding the opinions of three experts on the current state of the Pacific Grove Monarch Sanctuary.   Perspectives gained from the 2020 Western Monarch Summit January 10 – 12, …

Perspectives on the 2020 Western Monarch Summit Read More »

The link below will take you to a press release from the Xerces Society about the results of the Western Monarch counts for the 2019-2020 overwintering period.  The number of monarchs counted has not improved since last year and remains at a critical level.   https://xerces.org/press/western-monarch-butterfly-population-still-at-critical-level