Monarchs & Pollinators NEED our help
The Western Monarch population is less than 1% of what it was in the 1980s; add to this the stressors of climate change, habitat loss, and pesticides, and the result is a drastically threatened species. During winter, Monarchs need groves of tall trees to roost that offer protection from environmental factors such as wind, rain, cold temperatures, and sun exposure, in addition to resources such as freshwater and nectar. Due to the geographic location of Ventura County, restoration of current overwintering habitat locations are crucial to continue the historical migrations of Monarchs
We are in the NEWS!
Restorations
The Ventura County RCD, in partnership with the State Wildlife Conservation Board, the US Fish and Wildlife Service, and the California Association of RCDs, is implementing various projects focused on enhancing overwintering and breeding and migratory habitat for Monarchs and other pollinators in Ventura County.
The Projects strive to provide well-timed floral and nectar resources; while also offering shelter and safe habitat from pesticides as Monarchs migrate to our area. To tour a restoration site, click the link below!
HARMONEE & OPUSD Projects
The Habitat Assessments and Restoration for Monarchs – Overstory and Nectar Enhancement and Expansion Project (HARMONEE) and Oak Park Unified School District (OPUSD) are strategic collaborative efforts to expand, improve, and connect essential open space throughout Ventura and southern Santa Barbara Counties for the benefit of monarch butterflies and other native pollinators. These projects will enhance and restore critical inland Breeding and Migratory Habitat (BMH) and Overwintering (OW) habitat for the western population of the monarch butterflies and other pollinators. These projects will work in the face of climate change to protect and enhance essential habitat for the remaining migratory and residential monarchs, answer key research questions, facilitate and promote information sharing, and increase community awareness and knowledge of best management practices. These projects are a bottom-up approach to recovering western monarch and other native pollinator populations through working with a diverse group of conservationists, landowners, and agencies to set an example and restore California’s natural resources for wildlife and future public enjoyment.
For more site information and locations click the link below!
Research
One-third of the food humans consume is dependent on pollinators, according to a 2006 international study. Pollinators are essential to $24 billion in agricultural crops each year and more than 180,000 plant species.
Monarch Research is a catalyst for action among public-private partnerships and local landowners. The Ventura County RCD understands the necessity to conducting research at all of it’s restorations.