Questions and answers for federal land managers: Monarch reclassification from “special concern” to “endangered” under the Species at Risk Act

Information note

This document is intended to provide information to federal land managers regarding the uplisting of the Monarch to an endangered species under the Species at Risk Act (SARA).

This document is not a substitute for SARA or its regulations. In the event of any inconsistency between this webpage and SARA, the Act prevails. SARA can be found on the Justice Laws Website.

Remember that

• Schedule 1 of SARA (List of Wildlife Species at Risk) lists wildlife species that are endangered, threatened, extirpated, or of special concern in Canada under SARA
• SARA general prohibitions (sections 32 and 33) apply to wildlife species with a status of endangered, threatened or extirpated
• SARA automatically protects Monarch on federal lands, at all stages of its lifecycle, because it is now listed as endangered
• It is important to be aware of any provincial or municipal regulations before conducting activities that may impact Monarch
• Activities that could affect Monarch individuals on federal lands may require a permit under SARA. See Question 8 for information about SARA permits

SARA and the Monarch

The purposes of SARA are to prevent wildlife species in Canada from disappearing, to provide for the recovery of wildlife species that are extirpated (no longer exist in the wild in Canada), endangered, or threatened, and to manage species of special concern to prevent them from becoming endangered or threatened due to human activity. To achieve these conservation objectives, SARA provides legal protection for species when they are listed on Schedule 1 (List of Wildlife Species at Risk) with a status of "extirpated", "endangered" or "threatened" and outlines a process for the recovery of the species.

As of December 8, 2023, the Monarch is listed as an endangered species under Schedule 1 of SARA. The Monarch was previously included in the lower risk category of “special concern”.

Since the Monarch is a terrestrial species that is listed as endangered, the general prohibitions under section 32 of SARA apply automatically on federal lands, meaning it is prohibited to:

• kill, harm, harass, capture, or take an individual (an individual refers to a wildlife species, whether living or dead, at any developmental stage, which for Monarch includes eggs, caterpillars, chrysalises, and adults); and
• possess, collect, buy, sell, or trade an individual or any part or derivative of such an individual

Federal lands are lands owned and/or administered by the Government of Canada such as Canada National Parks and National Wildlife Areas. Federal lands do not include private lands or lands owned by provincial or territorial governments.

To learn more about how SARA protects the Monarch, including details on recovery planning requirements, please refer to the Order Amending Schedule 1 to the Species at Risk Act: Regulatory Impact Analysis Statement.

Question 1: Why protect the Monarch?

The Monarch is a charismatic species and one of the most well-known butterfly species in the world. In North America, the Monarch is divided into eastern and western subpopulations based on their migratory routes and overwintering sites (when referring to Monarch throughout this document both subpopulations are included). Western Monarchs breed in southern British Columbia and migrate south to overwinter in coastal California. Eastern Monarchs breed from Alberta to Nova Scotia and migrate south to overwinter in the mountains of Central Mexico; their migration from southern Canada to Mexico has been described as an endangered biological phenomenon.^{Footnote 1} In Canada, many crops and wildflowers rely on pollinators, including Monarch, to produce seeds and fruit, and to support biodiversity. Protecting Monarch contributes to the conservation of biodiversity, the health of ecosystems, and the overall well-being of Canada’s natural environment.

The Monarch has suffered a decline of more than 50% of its population between 2006 and 2016^{Footnote 2} and over 80% since standardized monitoring began in Mexico in 1995. There are threats to the Monarch within Canada, including loss and degradation of breeding habitat and sources of nectar (for example, milkweed and wildflowers), insecticide use and increased use of herbicides affecting milkweed, which Monarch need to survive, and climate change (for example, extreme weather events).^{Footnote 3}

Figure 1. Adult Monarch

Question 2: When and where are Monarch found in Canada?

Depending on the region and shifts in temperature,^{Footnote 4} the Monarch return to Canada around mid-May or early June, following their multi-generational migration from overwintering sites in Mexico and California.^{Footnote 3, Footnote 4} The breeding range of the Monarch depends on where and when milkweed plants grow,^{Footnote 3} as milkweed serve as the only host plants for the species during the breeding cycle. Table 1 provides a general timeline displaying when Monarch and milkweed are present in Canada. While they are located across most provinces, the Monarch are most abundant in southern Ontario and southern Quebec. In general, Monarch can be spotted as far north as Lake Nipigon in Ontario, Port-Cartier in Quebec, parts of Lake Winnipeg in Manitoba, Saskatoon in Saskatchewan, and occasionally Edmonton in Alberta; as well as in New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and Prince Edward Island.^{Footnote 3} In British Columbia, Monarch are uncommonly found in the southern interior of the province.^{Footnote 3, Footnote 4} Typically, Monarch start to migrate to Mexico (eastern subpopulation) and California (western subpopulation) in early August through October.^{Footnote 3}

Question 3: What habitats do Monarch use?

The Monarch is dependent on milkweed plants for breeding and is found where milkweed (the host plant) grows. In Canada, there are about a dozen species of milkweed that Monarch may use. In eastern Canada, Common Milkweed and Swamp Milkweed are most common; in the prairies and western Canada, the most widespread species is Showy Milkweed. Milkweed grows in open habitats, such as meadows, open forests, prairies, riverbanks, roadsides, as well as wetlands and swamps.^{Footnote 3, Footnote 4} Common and Showy Milkweed are most often found on agricultural lands, notably within field margins. Monarch lay eggs on milkweed, and the Monarch caterpillars feed exclusively on milkweed and are most often found on the leaves.^{Footnote 4} Monarch chrysalises may form on milkweed or adjacent plants, and adult Monarch feed on nectar from a wide variety of flowers including milkweed, asters, goldenrods, and other flowers to gather energy for breeding, migration, and overwintering.^{Footnote 3}

The Monarch uses trees as staging habitat, which is the habitat used during migration to rest, shelter, and restore their energy. Migratory stopover habitats can include conifers, maples, oaks, and willows, as well as open meadows with a diversity of flowering plants.^{Footnote 4} Clusters of adult Monarch are often found staging in the Great Lakes region, prior to their migration over large water bodies.

Photos by Sid Mosdell via Flickr

The Monarch life cycle is composed of four stages: (left to right), egg, larvae (caterpillar), pupa (chrysalis), and adult Monarch

Question 4: As a federal land manager, what are my responsibilities under SARA with respect to the Monarch?

Federal land managers play a crucial role in supporting the conservation and recovery of the Monarch by implementing conservation measures tailored to their land management practices.

Federal land managers should be mindful of the presence of the Monarch and take appropriate measures to prevent harm to individuals. Land management activities that may harm or kill Monarch at important stages of their life cycle include, but are not limited to:

• insecticide or herbicide application
• mowing, haying, or prescribed burning; or
• land clearing

On federal lands, the general prohibitions under section 32 of SARA apply and must be followed. To ensure compliance within the Monarch’s range:

• when possible, it is best to conduct certain land management activities when the Monarch are not present in Canada
• if land management activities must be conducted when and where Monarch are present in Canada (mid-May – October, depending on latitude), a SARA permit may be required. See Question 8 for information about SARA permits

Monarch eggs, caterpillars, and chrysalises can be hard to find. They can be harmed or killed if milkweed or surrounding plants are disturbed when eggs, caterpillars, and chrysalises are present, or when habitat is removed or disturbed at critical points in their life cycle. The best way to avoid any negative impacts is to allow milkweed plants to grow when Monarch are present in your area.

Question 5: As a federal land manager, how can I manage lands to benefit Monarch when they are present?

Milkweed cutting or removal is allowed unless it is occupied by Monarch at any life stage. To avoid Monarch mortality, where milkweed grows on federal lands, land management activities should be conducted when Monarch are absent from Canada (generally November to mid-May).

To get a better idea of when Monarch are present across Canada, and to time land management activities accordingly, you can refer to the Journey North Monarch observation map, and in the case of roadside and right-of-way management, the Canadian Wildlife Federation’s Roadside and rights-of-way mowing safe dates.

If land management is necessary when Monarch are present, a permit under SARA may be required. See Question 8 for information about SARA permits.

Ensuring high quality milkweed habitat is available supports the Monarch. Monarch have adapted to periodic disturbance. Therefore, the use of strategically timed mowing may increase milkweed presence and Monarch egg laying, reduce predator density and may help maintain availability of milkweed and nectar plants throughout the season. Consider mowing in early spring as this allows some vegetation control but avoids mowing during peak bloom times for milkweed and other nectar plants; late autumn mowing can promote the spread of nectar plants by allowing enough time for them to produce seeds before mowing. Pollinator pathways, pesticide-free corridors of native plants that provide nutrition and habitat for pollinators, also benefit Monarch.

Question 6: As a federal land manager, how can I help the Monarch?

There are many ways to help the Monarch beyond compliance with SARA:

• allow sites to regenerate naturally, minimizing mowing or manicured areas wherever possible
• consider active restoration of areas to native meadow or prairie by planting native wildflower seeds, locally occurring milkweed species, or species with different flowering times to ensure milkweed and nectar are available throughout the Monarch breeding season
• avoid using herbicides on milkweed and flowering plants that the Monarch depend on for survival. Refrain from, or reduce other pesticide use as they can contribute to the decline of Monarch and other non-pest species of plants and animals
• avoid mowing, haying, and land clearing during the Monarch presence in Canada
• participate in citizen science programs such as Mission Monarch, iNaturalist, Monarch Larvae Monitoring Project, or Journey North by recording Monarch observations

There may be financial support available for projects that could benefit the Monarch or its habitat or for participation in Monarch recovery. Please consider participating in the Critical Habitat Interdepartmental Program.

For more information on Monarch stewardship activities, please visit the Monarch Butterfly: profile of a species at risk webpage.

Question 7: Are Monarch tagging and rearing activities allowed on federal lands?

A permit is required to capture Monarch, or to undertake tagging and rearing activities on federal lands. A permit is also required for the possession and release of Monarch on federal lands. See Question 8 for information about SARA permits.

Question 8: How do I apply for a SARA permit if I plan to undertake activities on federal lands that might affect Monarch?

Federal land managers should avoid or modify activities that may adversely affect Monarch whenever possible. When activities on federal land that could affect Monarch individuals (eggs, chrysalises, caterpillars, or adults) and plants occupied by individuals cannot be avoided, a SARA permit may be required. Activities that may require a permit when Monarch are in Canada include, but are not limited to:

• mowing, haying, or prescribed burning
• land clearing
• herbicide or insecticide application; and
• handling, tagging, or rearing Monarch adults, caterpillars, chrysalises, or eggs (on federal lands)

Under Section 73 or 74 of SARA, an agreement may be entered into, or a permit may be issued to engage in an activity affecting a listed wildlife species or any part of its critical habitat. You can learn more about SARA permits and agreements, including how to apply for a permit, by visiting ECCC’s permits and agreements webpage.

If leasing federal lands from Parks Canada, please contact CommentairesDeRegistreEEP-SARRegistryComments@pc.gc.ca with any questions or to obtain a permit (if necessary).

Non-compliance with the conditions of a federal SARA permit or agreement can result in enforcement actions by Federal Enforcement Officers designated to verify compliance with SARA.