In 2010, the USFS began its extensive and ongoing involvement in monarch conservation efforts. Starting with the People’s Garden Initiative, Secretary Tom Vilsack encouraged all USDA facilities across the world to aid communities in creating their own gardens, ultimately prompting the USFS to collaborate with community partners to increase monarch habitat restoration efforts.

Nearly 13,760 hectares (34,000 acres) of quality monarch habitat were planted in 2010, just one year after the initiative began. The list of USFS monarch habitat restoration projects has grown each consecutive year. The majority of restoration projects take place in the Eastern Region, with sporadic projects occurring in the Southern Region (2010–2013). The USFS’ accomplishments have resulted in thousands of hectares of viable monarch habitat, and it will continue to support habitat conservation and maintenance; research and monitoring; and outreach. (USFS 2015).

• US Department of Agriculture Forest Service (USFS). 2015. Monarch Joint Venture Accomplishments. fs.fed.us/wildflowers/pollinators/Monarch_Butterfly/conservation/mjvaccomplishments.shtml.

Keywords: pollinator, restoration