Butterfly Pavilion and Government of Mexico Celebrate Landmark Monarch Habitat Restoration – Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA)

Report on the Monarch Butterfly Habitat Reforestation Project

Executive Summary

A collaborative reforestation initiative has been successfully completed in Mexico’s Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve to restore the critical wintering habitat of the migratory Monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus). This project, led by the Butterfly Pavilion in partnership with the Government of Mexico and local communities, directly addresses several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), most notably SDG 15 (Life on Land), SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals), SDG 13 (Climate Action), and SDG 4 (Quality Education). Between July and September 2025, the project achieved the planting of 100,000 native Oyamel fir trees (Abies religiosa) across 32 degraded sites, creating vital refuges for the threatened species.

Project Impact on Sustainable Development Goals

SDG 15: Life on Land

The project’s primary objective is the restoration of a critical terrestrial ecosystem, directly contributing to the targets of SDG 15. The initiative was launched in response to a severe decline in the Monarch butterfly population and its habitat.

• Halting Biodiversity Loss: Monarch populations have declined by nearly 80 percent in 30 years. By restoring their overwintering habitat, the project takes decisive action to protect this indicator species.
• Combating Deforestation: The Oyamel fir forests, essential for the Monarchs, now cover less than five percent of their original range. The planting of 100,000 trees is a direct countermeasure to this habitat loss.
• Restoring Degraded Land: The project targeted 32 specific sites within the Sierra El Campanario and Sierra Chincua sanctuaries for restoration, aiming to increase the occupied wintering area from a near-record low of 0.9 hectares towards the estimated sustainable level of six hectares.

SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

The success of this initiative is a testament to a robust multi-stakeholder partnership, exemplifying the collaborative spirit of SDG 17. The project united international organizations, national and local governments, non-profits, and community landholders.

Key Project Partners

1. Project Leadership: Butterfly Pavilion (Westminster, Colo.).
2. International and Governmental Bodies: The Government of Mexico, Consulate General of Mexico in Denver, Mexican Agency for International Development Cooperation (AMEXCID), Secretariat of Environment and Natural Resources (SEMARNAT), and the National Commission of Protected Natural Areas (CONANP).
3. Funding and Programmatic Support: Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) Conservation Grants Fund and the AZA Saving Animals From Extinction (SAFE) program.
4. Local Implementation Partners: Alternare (a local conservation nonprofit) and community landholders from six ejidos (El Rosario, Cerro Prieto, Los Remedios, El Calabozo Segunda Fracción, Santa Ana, and Jesús de Nazareno).
5. Logistical Support: The Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve Directorate and the Michoacán Forestry Commission, which supplied seedlings from regional nurseries.

SDG 13: Climate Action and SDG 4: Quality Education

Beyond biodiversity, the project yields significant benefits for climate action and education.

• Climate Action (SDG 13): The large-scale planting of 100,000 trees contributes to climate change mitigation by sequestering carbon. Restoring forest ecosystems also enhances local resilience to the impacts of climate change.
• Quality Education (SDG 4): The initiative established 20 native pollinator gardens in schools located within the Reserve’s buffer zone. These gardens function as living classrooms, engaging students and families in conservation and promoting education for sustainable development, thereby inspiring a new generation of environmental stewards.

Future Directives and Long-Term Commitment

The project marks a significant milestone but is part of a continuing effort. Butterfly Pavilion and its partners are committed to the long-term success of the restoration and the safeguarding of the Monarch migration.

Ongoing and Future Activities

1. Continuous monitoring of tree growth and habitat health.
2. Identification and restoration of additional degraded forest areas.
3. Expansion of educational and community engagement programs to ensure sustainable, long-term conservation outcomes.

This project serves as a powerful model for how targeted conservation action, supported by cross-border collaboration, can effectively address global environmental challenges and advance multiple Sustainable Development Goals simultaneously.

SDGs Addressed in the Article

SDG 15: Life on Land

• The article’s central theme is the restoration of a terrestrial ecosystem—the Oyamel fir forests in Mexico—to protect a specific species, the Monarch butterfly. This directly aligns with SDG 15’s goal to “protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss.” The project addresses habitat loss, deforestation, and the protection of a threatened species, all core components of this goal.

SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

• The project is described as a large-scale collaboration that “united communities, scientists, and governments across borders.” The article explicitly lists numerous partners, including the Butterfly Pavilion (a U.S. organization), the Government of Mexico, local non-profits like Alternare, and community landholders. This multi-stakeholder, international partnership is a clear example of SDG 17, which aims to “strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize the Global Partnership for Sustainable Development.”

SDG 4: Quality Education

• The initiative extends beyond reforestation to include an educational component. The article states that the project “created 20 native pollinator gardens in schools within the Reserve’s buffer zone.” These gardens function as “living classrooms” to “engage students and families in pollinator conservation and inspire the next generation of environmental stewards,” which directly contributes to SDG 4’s aim for inclusive and equitable quality education, particularly in promoting education for sustainable development.

SDG 13: Climate Action

• The article mentions that the Monarch butterfly population decline is due in part to “climate change.” Reforestation projects, such as the planting of 100,000 trees, are a key nature-based solution for climate change mitigation through carbon sequestration. Therefore, the project’s actions contribute to SDG 13, which calls for urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts.

Specific SDG Targets Identified

SDG 15: Life on Land

1. Target 15.2: “By 2020, promote the implementation of sustainable management of all types of forests, halt deforestation, restore degraded forests and substantially increase afforestation and reforestation globally.” The project directly implements this target by planting “100,000 native Oyamel fir trees” to restore degraded forest areas within the Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve.
2. Target 15.5: “Take urgent and significant action to reduce the degradation of natural habitats, halt the loss of biodiversity and, by 2020, protect and prevent the extinction of threatened species.” The article highlights that the Monarch butterfly is “under grave threat,” with populations having “declined by nearly 80 percent in just 30 years.” The reforestation effort is an urgent action to restore the critical wintering habitat and prevent further decline of this species.

SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

1. Target 17.16: “Enhance the Global Partnership for Sustainable Development, complemented by multi-stakeholder partnerships that mobilize and share knowledge, expertise, technology and financial resources…” The project exemplifies this target through its cross-border collaboration involving the Butterfly Pavilion, the Government of Mexico, the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ Conservation Grants Fund, local non-profits, and community landholders, all sharing resources and expertise for a common conservation goal.
2. Target 17.17: “Encourage and promote effective public, public-private and civil society partnerships…” The article details a partnership model involving civil society (Butterfly Pavilion, Alternare), public entities (Mexican government agencies), and private support (foundation and individual supporters), demonstrating the effectiveness of such collaborations.

SDG 4: Quality Education

1. Target 4.7: “By 2030, ensure that all learners acquire the knowledge and skills needed to promote sustainable development…” The creation of “20 native pollinator gardens in schools” as “living classrooms” is a direct method of providing education for sustainable development, aiming to “inspire the next generation of environmental stewards.”

SDG 13: Climate Action

1. Target 13.1: “Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters in all countries.” By restoring forest ecosystems, the project helps strengthen the resilience of the local environment to the impacts of climate change, which is cited as a threat to the Monarchs.

Indicators for Measuring Progress

SDG 15: Life on Land

• Number of trees planted: The article provides a direct, quantifiable indicator of reforestation progress: “100,000 native Oyamel fir trees were planted.”
• Area of restored habitat: The article implies an area-based indicator by stating that in recent winters, Monarch colonies “occupied only 0.9 hectares,” while “at least six hectares are needed to sustain the species.” Progress can be measured by monitoring the increase in the occupied habitat area towards the six-hectare goal.
• Status of threatened species: The population trend of the Monarch butterfly, which has “declined by nearly 80 percent,” serves as a key indicator. Future monitoring of population numbers or occupied hectares will measure the project’s success in halting biodiversity loss.

SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

• Number and type of partners: The article implicitly provides this indicator by listing the diverse group of collaborators: a U.S. institution, multiple Mexican government agencies, a local non-profit, and six community ejidos. The successful completion of the project serves as a qualitative indicator of the partnership’s effectiveness.

SDG 4: Quality Education

• Number of educational initiatives: A specific indicator mentioned is the creation of “20 native pollinator gardens in schools.” This is a direct measure of the project’s educational outreach.

SDG 13: Climate Action

• Reforestation scale: The planting of “100,000 native Oyamel fir trees” is an indicator of climate mitigation efforts, as these trees will contribute to carbon sequestration.

Summary Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: aza.org