Less than 20 years ago, an astounding 1 billion monarchs migrated to Mexico for the winter. This year, a mere fraction of that — just 33.5 million — made the journey.
Why? In large part it's because a new generation of potent herbicides is killing off the native milkweed that monarchs need to survive.
By placing commonsense safeguards on the overuse of weed killers like glyphosate, the EPA could dramatically increase the monarch's chance for survival.
Tell the EPA to adopt tough new restrictions on the weed killers that are wiping out monarchs.
Dear Administrator McCarthy,
I am calling on you to undertake an urgent review of the EPA's regulations regarding the use of glyphosate and other weed killers in light of the critical threat they pose to monarch butterflies.
The migrating population of monarchs has plummeted from 1 billion to a record low this year in Mexico of just 33.5 million, and the near extermination of milkweed is one of the prime reasons for this alarming decline.
Since the EPA last approved glyphosate in 1993, use of this potent weed killer has skyrocketed across the United States, due in large part to the introduction and widespread use of genetically modified crops that are resistant to this weed killer. Yet such herbicides also kill native milkweed, which is the only plant on which monarchs lay their eggs.
The EPA could dramatically increase the monarch's chance of survival by adopting commonsense safeguards against the overuse of glyphosate and other weed killers. I strongly urge your agency to limit their use along highways and require farmers to establish herbicide-free safety zones in and around their fields.
[Your comments here]
This is the ninth consecutive year that the number of monarchs traveling from the United States and Canada to Mexico has fallen below its long-term average. We must not delay any longer. Please take action to save monarchs now. Thank you.
Sincerely,
[Your name here]
