Monarch & Milkweed Pin Set

Monarch & Milkweed

Yosemite National Park plays a significant role for monarch butterflies, particularly for the Western Monarch population. Yosemite provides crucial breeding habitat and nectar sources during their spring and summer months. Yosemite is home to native milkweed species, which are essential for monarch reproduction. 

Monarch butterfly populations have significantly declined in recent decades. A primary driver of this decline is the widespread loss of milkweed habitat, particularly in agricultural areas where herbicides have eliminated milkweed from vast tracts of land. 

Conservation efforts for monarch butterflies heavily focus on planting native milkweed species to provide the essential food source for caterpillars. This is a critical step in helping reverse the monarch's decline and ensuring the survival of this iconic migratory species.

Yosemite Conservancy offers Naturalist Walks to observe milkweed and other species blooming and uttering throughout the seasons in Yosemite Valley. 

Explore our offerings at yosemite.org