Sacramento Science on Tap: Can We Save the Monarch Butterfly?

Hi, this is Vanessa, your ENLIGHTENMENT salon host.

The annual migration of North America’s monarch butterfly is an amazing phenomenon. Using environmental cues, the monarchs know when it is time to travel south for the winter, some flying as far as 3,000 miles to reach their winter homes. We’re fortunate that western monarchs choose the California’s coast to spend their winters (popular viewing spots range from Santa Cruz down to Santa Barbara).

But the western migration is in trouble — in recent years, the number of monarchs making the trip to coastal California has declined by approximately 95%, with factors like loss of habitat, pesticides and climate change causing their population decline. Can these butterflies be saved?

Elizabeth Crone, biologist and UC Davis professor in the Department of Evolution and Ecology, says yes. By studying migratory and urban-dwelling butterflies, she says urban ecosystems have the potential to help conserve the monarch butterfly species.

Join me for a conversation with Elizabeth as she talks about the monarch butterfly, the latest stats on their winter migrations, what they need to survive and flourish, and how we can help them to do so right in our own backyard.

Please bring your questions — nothing is too dumb, too small or too big to ask!

Tickets are $10. I’ll bring some drinks and snacks; please feel free to BYO.

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