The results of the 29th annual Western Monarch Count are in, and the news is a stark reminder of the fragility of our natural world. This winter, volunteers recorded just 12,260 monarchs across California’s coast.
This figure marks the third-lowest tally in the program’s history. To put this in perspective, Western monarchs once numbered in the millions during the 1980s. Today, we are witnessing what experts call a collapsing migration.
The Numbers at a Glance
The trend is clear and concerning. The three lowest counts on record have all occurred within the last six years:
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2020: 1,901 monarchs
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2024: 9,119 monarchs
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2025: 12,260 monarchs
While Santa Cruz County remains a glimmer of hope—with Natural Bridges State Beach hosting 2,500 butterflies—other iconic sites like Pismo State Beach and Ellwood Mesa saw significantly diminished clusters.
Why Is This Happening?
It isn’t just one bad season; it’s a "death by a thousand cuts." Scientists point to three primary drivers:
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Habitat Loss: Development continues to threaten the groves where monarchs overwinter. Over 60 sites have been destroyed since tracking began.
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Pesticides: Exposure to insecticides weakens populations already struggling to survive.
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Climate Change: Extreme weather events make it harder for these small populations to bounce back.
The Good News: You Can Act
"Our window for action is narrowing, but it hasn't closed," says Emma Pelton, Senior Conservation Biologist at the Xerces Society. We can still turn the tide. Here is how you can help today:
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Plant Native: Add native milkweed and nectar plants to your garden (ensure they are regionally appropriate!).
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Go Pesticide-Free: Protect pollinators by eliminating chemical use in your yard.
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Speak Up: Advocate for the protection of local overwintering sites, like those currently threatened in Hayward and Ventura.
Read the full press release here.