Western monarch butterflies, the vibrant orange-and-black symbols of resilience, saw their overwintering population in California drop by 30% in 2023, according to researchers. Volunteers counted just over 230,000 butterflies—down from 330,000 in 2022—with heavy rainfall cited as a key culprit. 🌧️
A Rollercoaster Recovery 🎢
While the species rebounded from a devastating low of 2,000 butterflies in 2020, numbers remain far below the millions recorded in the 1980s. The Xerces Society, a conservation nonprofit, warns that climate extremes and habitat loss keep the monarchs’ future uncertain. 🦋
Why This Matters 🌍
Monarchs aren’t just pollinators—they’re ecological indicators. Their decline reflects broader environmental challenges. “Volunteer counts give us hope, but long-term solutions are urgent,” said one researcher. 🔍
