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We at the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service are inviting individuals and organizations across the United States to come together in a unique effort to support conservation and understanding of one of North America's most iconic species: the monarch butterfly. The International Monarch Monitoring Blitz returns for its ninth edition from July 25 to August 3, 2025.
Given the vast range of monarchs and their host plant, milkweed, the contribution of volunteer community scientists is essential to furthering our understanding of these species and the habitats they depend on. To improve future conditions, we need long-term data of monarch and milkweed occurrence to track changes and inform conservation strategies.
鈥淲e know that we can all make a difference for monarchs by increasing habitat,鈥� says Nicole Alt with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Center for Pollinator Conservation. 鈥淭he Blitz informs where there is existing habitat, increasing our understanding, allowing us to prioritize and target conservation actions where it is needed most.鈥�
For 10 days, participants across the United States are encouraged to head outdoors to report sightings of monarch butterflies, locate milkweed plants and search for monarch eggs, caterpillars and chrysalises. Taking part is simple: just choose one of the participating community science programs listed below and share your observations.
The eighth edition of the Monarch Blitz in 2024 saw record-breaking participation, with more than double the people reporting more than 16,000 monarch sightings and 68,000 milkweed plants in just 10 days.
These observations help identify priority areas for monarch conservation and guide concrete actions on the ground. All data collected during the Monarch Blitz will be made available through the Trinational Monarch Knowledge Network, hosted on Global Biodiversity Information Facility, where it will support large-scale analyses by scientists, researchers and conservation practitioners.
The Monarch Blitz remains the only coordinated North America-wide effort to provide a real-time snapshot of the summer distribution of monarchs and milkweed. This information is critical for tracking reproductive success and long-term population trends.
With monarch conservation gaining momentum across our nation, there has never been a better time for communities to get involved. Step outside, connect with nature and be part of the movement to protect the monarch butterfly.
To take part in the Monarch Blitz, please share your observations through one of the participating community science programs below:
- iNaturalist
- Journey North
- Monarch Larva Monitoring Project
- Western Monarch Milkweed Mapper
Follow the Monarch Blitz and share your participation in this conservation effort on social media by using the hashtag #MonarchBlitz.
The Monarch Blitz is organized by the Trinational Monarch Conservation Science Partnership, a collaboration of organizations, including the Commission for Environmental Cooperation, Journey North, the Monarch Joint Venture, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Insectarium | Montr茅al Space for Life, the Canadian Wildlife Federation, PROFAUNA A.C. and the National Commission of Protected Natural Areas.
