Restoring Monarch Habitat

Monarch butterflies are among the most recognizable butterfly species in North America. In addition to being an international symbol of the environment, monarch butterflies contribute to the health of the planet. Pollinators are critical to global food security and healthy natural ecosystems, but they’re disappearing at an alarming rate. Beloved across its trinational North American range, the iconic monarch has only a 10 percent chance of persisting above the extinction threshold over the next 30 years. The time is now to protect monarchs and their incredible 3,000-mile migration.

In 2022, CPKC partnered with GATX, Monterrey Metropolitan Rotary Club, and NASCO for the Save the Butterfly 60,000 Tree Challenge North American Boxcar Tour. The project raised awareness of the monarch butterfly and over $125,000USD to plant 60,000 Oyamel fir trees at El Rosario Monarch Butterfly Sanctuary in Michoacán, Mexico, to help re-establish the monarch population.

Cluster of Monarch butterflies on green leaves.
man and woman standing in front of table at monarch challenge

NASCO's Monarch Mission

“NASCO is honored to be part of this international effort to save the iconic symbol of North America – the monarch butterfly. We have educated and engaged our continental network to support local events and fundraising efforts and to plant Monarch habitats along their North American migration routes. We commend CPKC, GATX and Rotary for leading this effort – the Monarch Butterfly Challenge is vitally important to our North American region,” said Tiffany Melvin, President of NASCO.

Ways to Help Save the Monarch