Early-season count
(Oct 18–Nov 2, 2025): 235
Mid-season count
(Nov 15–Dec 7, 2025): 471
Late-season count
(Dec 27, 2025–Jan 11, 2026): TBA
Locals and visitors alike look forward to the Western Monarch’s yearly winter visit to the Pismo Beach Monarch Grove. It’s a glimpse into one of nature’s extraordinary migrations that leaves viewers in awe. These delicate pollinators travel hundreds of miles to overwinter in groves like ours.
With a perfect coastal climate and shelter from the eucalyptus and cypress trees, The Monarch Grove in Pismo Beach has long been a vital sanctuary for our butterflies. In previous years, it’s hosted bundles of thousands of monarchs covering the trees. Yet, this year marks a low point, with only 197 monarchs recorded as of the last count.
While this mere number is one of the lowest in the recorded history of the Butterfly Grove, it does not represent lost hope for the species. Here, we delve into the factors that can cause these low numbers and share ideas on the actions we can take to support their re-emergence.
Monarchs Are Hard Workers in Our Ecosystem
Energy to help the monarchs will start with a better understanding of how vital they are to our ecosystem, They’re not just gorgeous, but they also play a critical role in sustaining our native plants and wildlife. Pollinating the plants that so many animals rely on helps ensure the food chain is abundant at all levels.
Visitors from around the world come to see the breathtaking grove, creating a fantastic opportunity for education on the issues we’re facing. The Central Coast State Parks Association (CCSPA) and California State Parks share information at the Grove with visitors. Spreading awareness of what they do for our ecosystem can motivate the urgency to take swift action to protect them. The beauty and draw of the monarchs bring a wider audience to the table for discussion on these issues. Without these stunning pollinators, there would be consequences for our cherished ecosystem. The more people that understand this, the more motivation there is to take action to protect them.
Social media influencers from Norway, Sweden, and Denmark visited the monarch grove in November 2024.
The Numbers– Why Are They Low This Year?
While thedecline in monarch populations is not new, this year’s numbers caused heightened alarm from experts. Our mere 197 (as of the last count in late December of 2024) are the lowest numbers ever observed in the Pismo Beach Butterfly Grove. Overall, the population of Western monarchs has plummeted by more than 95% since the 1980’s.
The fluctuation in the count is influenced by habitat loss, pesticide use, disease, and the availability of essential milkweed plants on their migration route all impact their migration success. Simply, adult monarchs are struggling to find food (nectar-rich flowers) to survive their journey.
Conservation efforts, like pollinator gardens and habitat restoration, are essential to reverse the decline. It’ll take a collaborative group effort from the state, cities, non-profits, and citizens to turn these numbers around. We’re lucky to see these collective efforts in Pismo Beach from many partner groups.
A chart demonstrating the historical counts of the last few days. 2020 was the year of the California fires, which led to the low counts and migration that year.
Taking Action for Monarchs
In December 2024, Monarchs were proposed for protection under the U.S. Endangered Species Act (ESA), with a classification of “threatened.” While this designation falls short of “endangered,” it shows the urgent need for conservation action.
As individuals and communities, we can help with small and large efforts:
1. Support Habitat Restoration (Including Important Planting Tips!)
- Plant native nectar-rich flowers in your garden or community spaces.
- *Important* While milkweed is the plant that Monarchs rely on, it’s important to note that there are “no milkweed” zones along the Central Coast. Specifically, planting it within 5 miles of overwintering sites north of Santa Barbara can harm the species. Xeres Society suggests planting early spring, late fall, and winter-blooming nectar plants instead in these areas.
- Avoid pesticides and herbicides that harm monarchs and other pollinators.
- Advocate for protecting and restoring overwintering sites, like our Monarch Grove.
2. Contribute to Community Science
- Join projects that track monarch and milkweed sightings. These efforts provide valuable data for conservationists. Some options include: Western Monarch Milkweed Mapper, Western Monarch Counts, Monarch Watch, or the Monarch Larvae Monitoring Project.
- Reach out to State Parks and volunteer at the Pismo State Beach Monarch Butterfly Grove educating guests from around the world on this special species.
3. Educate and Advocate
- Raise awareness about the monarch crisis within your community through discussion and social media. Following and sharing content from experts like the Xerces Society is an easy way to educate larger groups and support their organization.
- Support local, state, and national conservation organizations.
- Advocate for policies that address pesticide use.
5. Engage in Policy
Subscribe to updates from organizations like the Xerces Society to stay informed about opportunities to take action.
Voice your support for strong protections during the public comment period for the ESA listing. From December 12, 2024, to March 12, 2025, public comments will be heard regarding the protection of the Western Monarch. More information on how to submit comments can be found on regulations.gov by searching docket number FWS-R3-ES-2024-0137.
Danielle Bronson, State Parks Interpreter, training a batch of volunteers for the 2024-2025 monarch count season.
Monarch FAQs
When are the monarchs in Pismo Beach?
The monarchs start arriving in November each year.
How long do the monarchs stay in Pismo Beach?
They stay in the grove until February or March.
Where is the best place to see the updated counts?
Xeres Society runs the counts and posts their finalized numbers throughout the year for counts. You can find the most recent counts HERE.
Can we raise and release monarchs to help? Unfortunately, rearing the monarchs is not a helpful tactic. Raised monarchs have a lower chance of survival in the wild. Releasing these even harms the wild populations by increasing parasites and affecting the genetics of the offspring when they mate.
A Collective Responsibility
The challenges facing the monarch butterfly highlight the importance of protecting our natural world, but they also inspire hope and collective action. Every step we take to support monarchs creates a healthier and more vibrant ecosystem for all species, including ourselves. With help from diverse organizations, we can ensure that future generations will continue to marvel at the breathtaking sight of monarchs clustering in the trees of Pismo Beach’s Monarch Grove. It’s part of a story of resilience, hope, and the power of stewardship.
