ARLINGTON, Wis. — Scientists are tracking a concerning drop in the monarch butterfly population.

What You Need To Know

  • The World Wildlife Fund estimated there were nearly 60% less monarchs in Mexico last winter, compared to the previous year

  • Southern Wisconsin is an important stop on a monarch’s migration path

  • Conservation leaders in the state are keeping a close eye on the populations that comes through

  • The process involves putting a numbered sticker on the wing, then recording that number, location and date. The placement of the sticker is done in a way to not interfere with flying, or harm the butterfly

At this time of year, monarch butterflies start migrating south to Mexico for the winter. The World Wildlife Fund estimated there were nearly 60% less monarchs in Mexico last winter, compared to the previous year.

Southern Wisconsin is an important stop on a monarch’s migration path. Conservation leaders in the state are keeping a close eye on the populations that comes through.

Mark Martin manages Goose Pond Sanctuary in Columbia County, which is owned by the Southern Wisconsin Bird Alliance. Martin and his wife have lived on the land for 45 years.

They monitor hundreds of species of birds, animals and insects, including monarch butterflies, with their signature orange and black wings.

“Even 10 years ago, we had a lot of monarchs,” Martin said. “Then about five, six years ago, their numbers went way down.”

Martin is concerned about this decline and is trying to shed light on it. That’s why he invites people to come and learn how to tag and track monarch butterflies.

“It really helps get the numbers so we can get a good idea of the population,” he said. “This year, it's going to probably be the lowest we've ever caught.”

Spectrum News 1 went out with a group led by Martin. The group only spotted four monarchs. Martin said that’s proof of his concern.

The group was only able to tag one of those butterflies. The process involved putting a numbered sticker on the wing, then recording that number, location and date.

The placement of the sticker is done in a way to not interfere with flying, or harm the butterfly.

“I knew that researchers monitored the butterflies, but really didn't have any idea how they did that,” said Julie Woodward, a volunteer with the group.

Woodward was the lucky volunteer who was able to catch the butterfly and tag it. It was her first time volunteering alongside her partner Joan.

They said they’re passionate about conservation and gardening.

“We do grow native and just last year actually turned some of our yard into native plants,” Woodward said. “[It’s] kind of inspiring to do even more.”

Martin said growing native plants such as milkweed and showy goldenrod is a great way to help strengthen the monarch butterfly population, which has been hurt by habitat loss, pesticides and extreme weather events.

“They're just part of the ecosystem and if they wouldn't be out here, we'd miss a significant species that has a significant migration and is real colorful,” he said.

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