The MONARCH Act of 2025 establishes a dedicated fund and grant program to support critical conservation efforts aimed at preventing the extinction of the rapidly declining western monarch butterfly population.
Jeff Merkley
Senator
OR
The MONARCH Act of 2025 addresses the critical decline of the western monarch butterfly population, which faces imminent extinction due to habitat loss and climate change. This bill establishes the Western Monarch Butterfly Rescue Fund to provide dedicated grants for conservation projects focused on restoring milkweed and protecting overwintering sites. Furthermore, it mandates the annual updating and implementation of the existing Western Monarch Butterfly Conservation Plan. Ultimately, the Act aims to rapidly deploy resources to ensure the recovery and survival of this vital pollinator.
New MONARCH Act Allocates $12.5M Annually to Save Western Butterfly Population from Extinction
The MONARCH Act of 2025 is a five-year plan aimed squarely at rescuing the western monarch butterfly population, which, according to the bill’s findings, has dropped by over 99% in the last three decades. The bill establishes a dedicated funding stream and a grant program to aggressively tackle the habitat loss and environmental pressures pushing this iconic species toward extinction. The core of the plan is the creation of the Western Monarch Butterfly Rescue Fund, which is authorized to receive $12,500,000 annually from fiscal year 2026 through 2030 (SEC. 5), ensuring a consistent budget for emergency conservation work.
The Rescue Fund and the Grant Game
This isn't just about throwing money at a problem; it’s about targeted, on-the-ground work. The bill sets up a new grant program managed by the Secretary of the Interior (SEC. 4), making federal dollars available to local governments, Tribal governments, research groups, and nonprofits that can actually execute conservation projects. These projects must focus on protecting and restoring critical monarch habitats—specifically milkweed, native nectar plants, and the overwintering sites along the California coast. If you’re a farmer or rancher in the West, this could mean new collaboration opportunities with local conservation groups to restore pollinator habitat on your land, potentially improving pollination for your own crops.
What They're Funding (And How)
Grant applicants need to bring a detailed plan: what they’ll do, how they’ll measure success, and how they’ll coordinate with local wildlife managers and agencies. The bill is clear that the main test for approval is whether the project will actually help wild monarch populations grow (SEC. 4). Importantly, the Secretary is instructed to review proposals “quickly” because the situation is urgent. The legislation also requires the Secretary to contract with the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation to update and implement the existing Western Monarch Butterfly Conservation Plan, putting a professional framework behind the funding (SEC. 6).
The Real-World Impact on the West
For anyone living in the western states—from California to Utah—this bill means a significant increase in habitat restoration activity. Conservation is defined broadly, covering everything from active restoration and protection of wintering grounds to education and outreach (SEC. 3). While the funding is focused on the butterfly, the benefits spill over. Monarchs are pollinators, and boosting their numbers and restoring their habitat helps other essential insects, which in turn supports local ecosystems and agricultural productivity. The bill requires annual reports to Congress by January 31st (SEC. 7), summarizing every project funded and evaluating its effectiveness, which is a good mechanism for public accountability and ensuring the $12.5 million annual investment is actually moving the needle on the butterfly crisis.