The Monarch Butterflies are back after a long winter in Mexico!

On April 26, 2026,  a Monarch was sighted feeding on nectar in Toronto, ON. This year, we expect the Monarchs to return in larger numbers than we’ve seen since the 2018-2019 overwintering season.

Counting individual Monarchs as they cluster together in the Oyamel Fir forests of central Mexico would be an impossible task. Millions of butterflies gather on trees, often layering branch upon branch.

monarch butterlies on fir trees
Take a close look at this single branch of the invasive Scot’s Pine. Can you count how many Monarchs you see? Now, imagine doing that across the millions of Oyamel Fir trees that Monarchs use for overwintering each year. ©Marg Waren

To more accurately estimate Monarch population sizes, scientists measure the total area of forest occupied by overwintering butterflies – the larger the area, the larger the population. During the 2025-2026 overwintering season, Monarchs were estimated to occupy 2.95 hectares of Oyamel Fir forest, an increase of 64 per cent from last year’s estimate of 1.79 hectares! While this increase is worth celebrating, it’s important to keep perspective. Scientists estimate that Monarchs need at least six hectares of occupied forest to sustain a stable population, a number that has only been reached two times in the last 20 years. Our work to support Monarch recovery is not done yet!

©Monarch Joint Venture

One of the most critical needs for Monarch survival in their breeding range is milkweed. Monarchs rely exclusively on milkweed plants for breeding. In fact, a single Monarch caterpillar can consume up to 30 common milkweed leaves in its 10 to 14-day development! Last year, scientists estimated that Canada has about 484 million common milkweed plants and to support healthy Monarch populations, we need to increase that number by 61 per cent, or an additional 295 million more stems!

©Kelvin So
©Nina Stavlund

The Canadian Wildlife Federation is working towards this goal by restoring native meadow habitat rich in milkweed and nectar plants. These restored landscapes help support Monarch Butterflies and a wide variety of other insects and pollinators.

The Canadian Wildlife Federation is grateful for the support of the 407 ETR, whose partnership has helped restore critical pollinator habitat in communities surrounding the 407 ETR highway corridor. Thanks to their support, more than 14 hectares of habitat have been restored across the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area over the last three years, bringing CWFs total restored area to 1,828 hectares since 2019.

©407 ETR

How You Can Help Monarchs

Helping Monarchs doesn’t end with large restoration projects. Individual actions make a meaningful difference too! You can help by:

  • Planting native milkweed and nectar-rich flowers like Wild Bergamot (Monarda fistulosa), New England Aster (Symphyotrichum novae-angliae), and Black-eyed Susans (Rudbeckia hirta)
  • Leaving milkweed where it grows in gardens, yards, or marginal croplands
  • Participating in community science by tracking Monarch sightings on iNaturalist
  • Avoiding the use of pesticides and herbicides wherever possible

Together, these actions help create a landscape where Monarchs and other insects and pollinators can thrive.