aza safe north american monarch - assets.speakcdn.com · nurseries, landscape associations, nature...
TRANSCRIPT
1
AZA SAFE North American Monarch Program Plan May 2020 – May 2023
Submitted: March 4, 2020 Revised version re-submitted July 1, 2020
2
Table of Contents Program Summary _________________________________________________________________ 4
Background _______________________________________________________________________ 5
Program Goal _____________________________________________________________________ 6
Aspirational Mission _____________________________________________________________________ 6
Operational Mission _____________________________________________________________________ 6
Program Operational Structure _______________________________________________________ 7
Program Leaders ________________________________________________________________________ 7
Steering Committee _____________________________________________________________________ 7
8 Working Groups _______________________________________________________________________ 8
Program Partners _______________________________________________________________________ 9
Partners External to AZA ________________________________________________________________ 18
Conservation Target _______________________________________________________________ 21
Status of Taxa within AZA Community _________________________________________________ 23
AZA Conservation Activities and AZA Public Engagement Activities _________________________ 24
AZA Animal Program Activities ___________________________________________________________ 24
AZA Member Organizations Activities to Date _______________________________________________ 25
Species Status ____________________________________________________________________ 28
Conservation Status ____________________________________________________________________ 28
Recovery Plans for North American Monarchs _______________________________________________ 28 Recovery Plans used in forming this AZA SAFE Program Plan ___________________________________________ 29
Threats __________________________________________________________________________ 31
Program Objectives ________________________________________________________________ 33
Goals ________________________________________________________________________________ 33
SAFE Monarch Network _________________________________________________________________ 33
Defining Participation in this SAFE Program _________________________________________________ 37
Strategic Objectives ____________________________________________________________________ 38
Program Evaluation ____________________________________________________________________ 39
Program Summary Table ___________________________________________________________ 41
Appendix A ______________________________________________________________________ 48
3
Required Program Plan sections listed by page number _______________________________________ 48
Appendix B_______________________________________________________________________ 49
Collaborative Visioning Exercise __________________________________________________________ 49
Appendix C _______________________________________________________________________ 51
Exploring Influential factors with a PESTLE Analysis ___________________________________________ 51
Appendix D ______________________________________________________________________ 55
Public Engagement Example Strategies _____________________________________________________ 55
Example Evaluation Scales for Public Engagement ____________________________________________ 56
Appendix E _______________________________________________________________________ 58
Example Engagement Messages for Monarch Legislation ______________________________________ 58
Citations _________________________________________________________________________ 59
4
Program Summary The AZA SAFE North American Monarch Program Leaders present a program to galvanize action for the charismatic monarch butterfly. Through this AZA SAFE conservation program, we intend to amplify our commitments to this species by facilitating increased conservation efforts across zoos, aquariums, their professional networks, and their communities. By coordinating activities to reduce threats to monarchs, this strategic program will have the potential for positively impacting monarch conservation while creating more habitat in urban, suburban, and rural regions, along with opportunities to increase this species’ population. Zoos and aquariums and their partners – including conservation and monarch-specific non-governmental organizations, museums, scientists, botanical gardens, nurseries, and more – will collaborate in this SAFE program to drive change and have real impact. This collaboration will unite the work of each organization into the SAFE Monarch Network.
To summarize the AZA SAFE North American Monarch Program Plan, see Figures 4-7 explaining how participating organizations will 1) take new action for monarch conservation, 2) inspire increased action throughout their communities through public education and engagement, and 3) promote reduction to the threats to monarch butterflies with specific conservation outcomes.
Major threats to North American monarchs: 1. Habitat loss
a. including breeding, nectaring, migratory, and overwintering habitats 2. Pesticides 3. Climate Change
5
Background The AZA community has a unique opportunity to support the monarch butterfly, a treasured species that calls our widespread region home. Monarchs are highly visible in their geographic range, with their vibrant, eye-catching colors and incredible migratory journeys that have inspired wonder and cultural celebration for decades. This new SAFE program will leverage the multinational iconic value of the migratory monarch to increase collaboration and improve their North American conservation status. A number of diverse educational and conservation organizations have promoted monarch conservation activities for years. From monitoring habitat use and migration patterns with community science, planting native milkweed to bolster their populations, and protecting their crucial overwintering sites, these organizations have made impressive strides to support this species. Even so, significant threats continue to push migratory monarchs closer to extinction. This SAFE program will maximize the potential of zoos and aquariums to address these threats and further advance existing conservation efforts. Partners for the SAFE program activities will include conservation and monarch-specific non-governmental organizations, botanical gardens, museums, scientists, horticulture teams, native plant growers and nurseries, landscape associations, nature centers, local government agencies, gardening clubs, businesses, and more. By highlighting this well-known and accessible species, the AZA SAFE North American Monarch program will in turn catalyze the expanded butterfly and pollinator conservation measures that are urgently needed. If the SAFE program is successful, zoos and aquariums will be among the leaders who safeguard the migratory monarch butterfly, and ensure a future of biodiversity with the countless critical ecosystem services that it provides.
6
Program Goal The long-term goal of the AZA SAFE North American Monarch Program is to increase zoos’ and aquariums’ conservation leadership throughout North America in order to bolster habitat for migratory monarch butterflies. This critical action is needed to recover and sustain these butterflies’ populations, which are in steep decline.
We conducted a collaborative visioning exercise with all program partners following the process recommended by the Conservation Planning Specialist Group (Appendix B). After discussing our shared hopes for this program, we developed long-term statements about our aspirational mission for monarch butterflies in the future and our operational mission for conservation programs in AZA zoos and aquariums.
Aspirational Mission Native, pollinator-friendly planting in gardens, cities, and farmlands will become the norm, and people across North America will create a conservation corridor between Canada and central Mexico (Eastern population) and Canada and Baja California, Mexico (Western population), leading to annual celebrations of monarch migration and the comeback of the species.
Operational Mission Zoos and aquariums will become the voice of the conservation movement; their reach goes beyond their gates in every community to lead as a driving force for conservation actions and role models of habitat protection and restoration.
7
Program Operational Structure Program Leaders Disney’s Animals, Science, and Environment Lily Maynard, Ph.D. - Program Leader Conservation Programs Manager [email protected] San Diego Zoo Paige Howorth - Program Co-Leader McKinney Family Director of Invertebrate Care and Conservation [email protected] Steering Committee
Butterfly Pavilion Kathryn Hokamp Lepidopterist [email protected] Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden S. David Jenike Chief Operating Officer [email protected] McGuire Center for Lepidoptera and Biodiversity, Florida Museum of Natural History, University of Florida Jaret Daniels, Ph.D. Associate Professor of Lepidoptera Research and Insect Conservation [email protected] Monarch Joint Venture Katie-Lyn Bunney Education Coordinator [email protected] Monarch Watch Chip Taylor Founder and Director [email protected]
8
National Wildlife Federation Patrick Fitzgerald Senior Director of Community Wildlife [email protected] Oklahoma City Zoo and Botanical Garden Rebecca Snyder, Ph.D. Curator of Conservation and Science [email protected] Saint Louis Zoo Edward M. Spevak, Ph.D. Curator of Invertebrates, Director-Center for Native Pollinator Conservation [email protected] Santa Barbara Zoo and Gardens Trent Barnhart Animal Nutritionist [email protected] The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation Emma Pelton Endangered Species Conservation Biologist Western Monarch Lead [email protected]
8 working groups To promote active participation of all Program Partners, we created working groups divided by topic and conservation activity with 10-15 members each. 1. Overwintering Habitat (protection and creation) 2. Breeding Habitat (protection and creation) 3. Community / Citizen Science 4. Community Engagement 5. Education and Public Awareness 6. Pesticide Reduction 7. Agricultural Partnerships 8. Plants and Seeds
9
Program Partners 1. Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum
Debbie Colodner Director of Conservation Education and Science [email protected]
2. Assiniboine Park Zoo Dr. Stephen Petersen Director, Conservation and Research [email protected]
3. Aquarium of the Pacific Sandy Trautwein Vice President of Husbandry [email protected]
4. Audubon Nature Institute Jayme Necaise Director of Animal and Visitor Programs [email protected]
5. Bergen County Zoological Park Carol Fusco Senior Park Naturalist/Program Coordinator, Volunteer Manager [email protected]
6. Birmingham Zoo Terra Manasco Conservation & Special Projects Manager [email protected]
7. Blank Park Zoo Christine Eckles Chief Engagement Officer [email protected]
10
8. Bramble Park Zoo Jaime Stricker Zoo Educator [email protected] Dan Miller Director [email protected]
9. Brandywine Zoo Hannah Pretz Assistant Curator of Education [email protected]
10. Brevard Zoo Michelle Smurl [email protected]
11. Brookgreen Gardens Andrea DeMuth Vice President and Curator of Zoological Collections [email protected]
12. Butterfly Pavilion Kathryn Hokamp Lepidopterist [email protected]
13. Capron Park Zoo Lewis Stevens Director [email protected]
14. Charles Paddock Zoo Crystal Crimbchin Keeper [email protected]
15. Chattanooga Zoo at Warner Park Chelsea Ciszewski Director of Education [email protected]
11
16. Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden S. David Jenike Chief Operating Officer [email protected]
17. Cosley Zoo Angie Dosch Animal Curator [email protected]
18. Dakota Zoo Allison Malkowski Assistant Director [email protected]
19. Dallas Zoo Chris Corpus Conservation Programs Manager [email protected]
20. David Traylor Zoo of Emporia Lisa Keith Director [email protected]
21. Detroit Zoo Thomas Schneider Curator of Birds [email protected]
22. Disney's Animal Kingdom Lily Maynard, Ph.D. Conservation Programs Manager [email protected]
23. Erie Zoo Rynda McCray Volunteer Coordinator [email protected]
12
24. Franklin Park Zoo (Zoo New England) Cynthia Mead [email protected]
25. Great Plains Zoo & Delbridge Museum of Natural History Matt Eschenbrenner Director of Animal Care and Conservation [email protected]
26. Green Bay Botanical Garden Ryan Hammes Horticulturist [email protected]
27. Greensboro Science Center Lindsey Zarecky Conservation & Science [email protected]
28. Happy Hollow Zoo Charlotte Graham Conservation & Communications Manager [email protected]
29. Henry Vilas Zoo Jess Thompson Conservation Education Curator [email protected]
30. Houston Zoo Taylor Rhoades Conservation Action Analyst [email protected]
31. Indianapolis Zoological Society, Inc. Sara Caruso Interpretation Supervisor [email protected]
32. Jacksonville Zoo & Gardens Lucas Meers Conservation Program Officer [email protected]
13
33. Jenkinson's Aquarium Carol McCallum Conservation Education Coordinator [email protected]
34. John Ball Zoo Bill Flanagan Conservation Manager [email protected]
35. Lake Superior Zoo Samantha Halligan Director of Guest Experience [email protected]
36. Lion Country Safari Tina Cloutier Barbour, Ph.D. Curator of Conservation, Research & Chimpanzees [email protected]
37. Moody Gardens Greg Whittaker Animal Husbandry Manager [email protected]
38. National Aquarium Laura Bankey Vice President of Conservation Programs [email protected]
39. New York State Zoo Larry Sorel Executive Director / CEO [email protected] Haley Sylvan Curator of Conservation Education [email protected]
40. North Carolina Aquarium on Roanoke Island Colleen J. Shytle Exhibits Curator [email protected]
14
41. North Carolina Zoo Katie Hagen Animal Management Supervisor [email protected]
42. Oglebay's Good Zoo Joe Greathouse Zoo Director [email protected]
43. Oklahoma City Zoo and Botanical Garden Rebecca Snyder, Ph.D. Curator of Conservation and Science [email protected]
44. Palm Beach Zoo & Conservation Society Kristen Cytacki, CIP Director of Education [email protected]
45. Pueblo Zoo Heather Dewey Director of Education and Volunteer Programs [email protected]
46. Reid Park Zoo Sue Tygielski Director of Zoo Operations [email protected]
47. Riverbanks Zoo & Garden Andy Cabe Botanical Garden Director [email protected] Melodie Scott-Leach Habitat Horticulture Director [email protected]
48. Roosevelt Park Zoo Jennifer Kleen Executive Director of the Greater Minot Zoological Society [email protected]
15
49. Saginaw Children's Zoo Mia Banaszek Manager Conservation & Education [email protected]
50. Saint Louis Zoo Edward M. Spevak, Ph.D. Curator of Invertebrates, Director-Center for Native Pollinator Conservation [email protected]
51. San Diego Zoo Paige Howorth McKinney Family Director of Invertebrate Care and Conservation [email protected]
52. San Diego Zoo Safari Park Joy Wolf Director Operations - Guest Connections/Education [email protected]
53. San Francisco Zoological Gardens Patrick Schlemmer Curator of Invertebrates and Special Projects [email protected]
54. Santa Barbara Zoological Gardens Trent Barnhart Animal Nutritionist [email protected]
55. Seneca Park Zoo Tom Snyder Director of Programming and Conservation Action [email protected]
56. Shedd Aquarium Charlotte Blome Manager of Horticulture Programs [email protected]
57. Steinhart Aquarium Bart Shepherd Senior Director [email protected]
16
58. Sunset Zoological Park
Nicole Wade Programs and Education Animals Manager [email protected] Jared Bixby Curator of Education [email protected]
59. Sophia M. Sachs Butterfly House Fred Gauna Collections & Education Manager [email protected]
60. Toledo Zoo Ryan Walsh Conservation Coordinator [email protected]
61. Topeka Zoo and Conservation Center Rachel Rost Education Specialist [email protected]
62. Utah’s Hogle Zoo Kayleigh Mullen Citizen Science Wildlife Biologist [email protected]
63. Utica Zoo Kathleen McGill [email protected] Mary Hall Education Director [email protected]
64. Virginia Living Museum Chris Crippen Senior Director of Animal Welfare and Conservation [email protected]
17
65. Virginia Zoological Park Michelle Lewis Education Manager [email protected]
66. Walter D. Stone Memorial Zoo (Zoo New England) Cynthia Mead Vice President of Outreach [email protected]
67. Western North Carolina Nature Center Erin Oldread Animal Curator [email protected] Lori Hyatt Animal Care Naturalist [email protected]
68. Woodland Park Zoo Erin Sullivan Collection Manager, TITAG Chair [email protected]
69. Zoo de Granby Véronique Bellavance Conservation Coordinator Zoo de Granby [email protected]
70. Zoo Knoxville Steve McGaffin, Education Curator/Tennessee Butterfly Monitoring Network Director [email protected]
71. Zoo Miami Frank Ridgley, DVM Conservation Director [email protected]
18
Partners External to AZA
72. ECOLIFE Conservation Bill Toone Founder [email protected]
73. Keystone Policy Center Matt Mulica Senior Project Director [email protected]
74. Monarch Joint Venture
Katie-Lyn Bunney Education Coordinator [email protected]
75. Monarch Watch Chip Taylor Founder and Director [email protected]
76. National Wildlife Federation Patrick Fitzgerald Senior Director of Community Wildlife [email protected]
77. McGuire Center for Lepidoptera and Biodiversity Florida Museum of Natural History, University of Florida Jaret Daniels, Ph.D. Associate Professor of Lepidoptera Research and Insect Conservation [email protected]
78. Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation Emma Pelton Endangered Species Conservation Biologist Western Monarch Lead [email protected]
19
20
21
Conservation Target The monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus) is an iconic and widespread brush-footed butterfly (Family: Nymphalidae). It is one of the most recognizable insects in the world with its relatively large orange, black, and white wings (9 - 10.25 cm wingspan). North American monarch butterflies are divided into two major populations: the Western population, found west of the Rocky Mountains and the Eastern population, found east of the Rocky Mountains. Although other populations of monarchs occur elsewhere (e.g., Central America), the AZA SAFE North American Monarch program specifically focuses on the eastern and western migratory populations described above. The range of each population expands and contracts seasonally, and the insects overwinter as adults in high-density aggregations within their respective ranges. A single fall generation will migrate to the overwintering grounds (coastal California to Baja California, Mexico for the Western population and the Sierra Madre Mountains of Mexico for the Eastern population). An individual butterfly may travel over 3,000 miles as part of the eastern population migration, making it one of the longest insect migrations in the world. In the spring, the populations begin to expand northward and eastward over multiple generations (Fig. 1) until their northernmost limit is reached in southern Canada. Monarch butterflies are nectar generalists as adults and their larvae feed on milkweeds (Asclepias spp. and closely related species). The larvae are also easily recognizable and iconic with their black, white, and yellow stripes, and go through five developmental stages called instars before pupating and forming a brilliant green and gold chrysalis. It is within the chrysalis or pupa that the larval tissues reorganize into the adult life stage. The chrysalis becomes transparent immediately before the adult insect emerges, revealing the orange and black color pattern of the wings. Unfortunately, the migratory populations of monarch butterflies have experienced dramatic declines over recent decades. Eastern overwintering populations have decreased by 80% and Western populations have decreased by as much as 99% since the 1980s. .
22
Figure 1: Map of Eastern and Western monarch butterfly populations across North America (Monarch Watch 2020).
23
Status of Taxa within AZA Community While not typically held in managed populations, monarch butterflies are a species that most AZA member institutions can claim as their own, since they range broadly throughout North America. In addition to the many monarch conservation activities already taking place in AZA member organizations (Figure 2), monarchs and pollinator species are an important component of zoos and aquariums’ visitor and community engagement, storytelling, and education programs. Less frequently, some zoos and aquariums rear groups of monarch butterflies for release into the wild. The Terrestrial Invertebrate Taxon Advisory Group (TITAG) advises AZA programs with terrestrial invertebrates on best practices. This plan was created in alignment with TITAG’s recommendations for migratory monarch butterfly conservation measures. These recommendations are derived from evidence-based guidance from the Monarch Joint Venture, a collaborative partnership advancing monarch health and conservation. Relation to an AZA Animal Program Not applicable. SSP Sustainability designation (if applicable) Not applicable.
24
AZA Conservation Activities and AZA Public Engagement Activities
AZA Animal Program Activities This AZA SAFE North American Monarch program has the support of the Terrestrial Invertebrate Taxon Advisory Group (TITAG). With the support of TITAG and the many Program Partners and External Advisors with expertise on monarch butterfly conservation, the AZA SAFE North American Monarch program will lead new conservation efforts for AZA institutions by developing partnerships in their communities for local impact. Participating institutions will facilitate increased use of native host plants and flowering gardens to complement and amplify other organizations’ conservation efforts. Additionally, this widespread species, with its range across North America, provides the opportunity for significant community engagement to take action for monarchs. The AZA SAFE North American Monarch program will connect each of the Program Partners’ conservation activities with opportunities accessible to the public in order to raise awareness and maximize conservation efforts to address each threat to migratory monarch butterflies.
25
AZA Member Organizations Activities to Date Prior to the launch of the AZA SAFE North American Monarch program, we assessed the current conservation activities and public education activities of AZA institutions that support monarch and pollinator conservation. Of the 71 AZA member organizations that took the survey, we found a variety of conservation and public education activities (Table 1). The activities also varied in frequency at the zoos and aquariums (Figure 1). Table 1: AZA Conservation Activities and Public Education Activities currently in practice at AZA institutions to support monarch butterfly conservation.
AZA Conservation Activities AZA Public Education Activities Grow pollinator gardens on zoo/aquarium property
Promote citizen / community science for monarch monitoring
Plant pollinator gardens in our community Sell or give away milkweed Certified, monarch-specific garden (Monarch Watch, NWF, etc.)
Teach conservation education programs about monarchs / pollinators
Monitor monarch populations by zoo/aquarium staff
Engage visitors via onsite interpretation programs about monarchs / pollinators
Advocate for monarch conservation legislation / governance practices
Provide resources to guide audiences to learn more and help conserve monarchs
Rear monarch caterpillars and release them Promote partners working on monarch conservation
Rear monarch caterpillars and release adult butterflies
Promote sustainable resource use on behalf of monarchs
Support partners working on monarch conservation through philanthropy
26
Figure 2: The percentage of current pollinator conservation activities currently in practice at these institutions, out of 71 AZA organizations that responded. Table 2: Number of AZA member organizations reporting currently participating in each monarch-related activity (out of 71 respondents).
Conservation Activities Number Public Engagement Activities Number
Grow pollinator gardens on zoo/aquarium property
64
Promote citizen / community science for monarch monitoring
39
Plant pollinator gardens in our community 31 Sell or give away milkweed
33
Certified, monarch-specific garden (Monarch Watch, NWF, etc.) 33
Teach conservation education programs about monarchs / pollinators
49
Monitor monarch populations by zoo/aquarium staff 23
Engage visitors via onsite interpretation programs about monarchs / pollinators
43
Advocate for monarch conservation legislation / governance practices 7
Provide resources to guide audiences to learn more and help conserve monarchs
38
Rear monarch caterpillars and release them 15
Promote partners working on monarch conservation 38
Rear monarch caterpillars and release adult butterflies 3 Promote sustainable resource use
on behalf of monarchs 22
27
Support partners working on monarch conservation through philanthropy 14
To help the AZA SAFE North American Monarch program achieve its goals and lead our communities to create impact for monarchs, these organizations commit to adding new initiatives that complement their programming to increase collective conservation efforts.
28
Species Status Conservation Status
USFWS Endangered Species Act: Candidate for listing
IUCN: Near Threatened
Several states: Species of Concern
Rapid decline of the once abundant monarch butterfly has led to movements to list the species for protection within specific U.S. states (e.g., California Assembly Bill #1671 in 1987), nationally (e.g., USFWS candidate under consideration for listing under the Endangered Species Act), and internationally (e.g. Mexico - 3 federal decrees for protection; Canada - listed as a Species of Special Concern nationwide under the Species at Risk Act (SARA) in 2003). Although the monarch butterfly is not listed under CITES or IUCN, “the winter roosts in Mexico and California were designated as threatened phenomena by the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) in the IUCN Invertebrate Red Data Book in 1983” (USFWS 2020).
Recovery Plans for North American Monarchs
To prepare the AZA SAFE North American Monarch Program Plan, we reviewed 11 conservation plans, including national, state-wide, and regional plans. We completed a Situational Assessment following the procedures of the Conservation Planning Specialist Group (CPSG 2019) using the 11 conservation plans and our Program Partners’ expertise to assess the current threats, goals, scope, and issues for monarch conservation. The common themes in the recovery plans were integrated with the SAFE Program Partners’ ideas to strengthen the foundation of our Program Plan. For example, the threats we identified to focus our conservation activities were selected from the recovery plans. Summary of current conservation plans:
● Threats o Habitat loss
▪ Migratory habitat loss ▪ Breeding habitat loss ▪ Overwintering habitat loss ▪ Nectar resource habitat loss
o Pesticides o Climate change
29
o Disease ● Goals and objectives
o Habitat restoration and protection (most common and most actionable goal) o Capacity-building o Outreach with the public o Research o Education
● Scope o Both Eastern and Western populations of North American monarchs
The AZA SAFE North American Monarch Program Plan follows the same path of threats, goals, and objectives to build on and align with these wide-reaching plans. We also identified a few gaps in the plans that we hope to address with this Program Plan:
1) First, the timelines tend to be long-term, and we hope with this short-term, 3-year plan, this AZA SAFE program can contribute renewed effort with clear actions and a theory of change to increase momentum for monarch butterfly conservation.
2) Second, several of the plans are unclear about who is doing what activity. We will create a platform for organizations to inform all partners about their activities and be able to update the group about their successes and adaptations.
3) Third, many of the plans set the intention of creating the resources about monarch butterflies by becoming the “clearing house of information about monarchs.” By creating the SAFE Monarch Network, we hope to compile these resources into an accessible and user-friendly library to be able to use these resources and mobilize audiences.
Recovery Plans used in forming this AZA SAFE Program Plan
Multinational or National Plans
● Communications Department of the Secretariat of the Commission for environmental Cooperation (CEC). (2008). North American Monarch Conservation Plan. https://www.fs.fed.us/wildflowers/pollinators/Monarch_Butterfly/news/documents/Monarch-Monarca-Monarque.pdf
● Monarch Joint Venture (MJV). (2018). Monarch Conservation Implementation Plan. https://monarchjointventure.org/images/uploads/documents/2018_monarch_conservatio n_implementation_plan_final_2.pdf
Regional Plans
● National Fish and Wildlife Foundation. (9 Aug. 2016). Monarch Butterfly Business Plan. https://www.nfwf.org/monarch/Documents/monarch-business-plan.pdf
● Western Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies. (Jan 2019). Western Monarch Butterfly Conservation Plan 2019-2069.
30
https://www.wafwa.org/Documents%20and%20Settings/37/Site%20Documents/Commit tees/Monarch/Western%20Monarch%20Butterfly%20Conservation%20Plan%202019- 2069.pdf
● The Midwest Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies. (11 May 2018). Mid-America Monarch Conservation Strategy 2018-2038. http://www.mafwa.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/MAMCS_June2018_Final.pdf
Local and State Plans
● Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources. (Jan 2018). Kentucky Monarch Conservation Plan. https://fw.ky.gov/Wildlife/Documents/ky_monarch_plan.pdf
● Indiana Wildlife Federation. (10 Aug 2018). Indiana Monarch Conservation Plan. ● https://www.indianawildlife.org/lib/uploads/files/Indiana%20Monarch%20Conservatio
n% 20Plan_8-10-18.pdf ● Oklahoma Monarch and Pollinator Collaborative. (April 2018). Oklahoma Monarch and
Pollinator Collaborative Statewide Monarch Conservation Plan. http://www.okiesformonarchs.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/OMPC-Monarch- Conservation-Plan.pdf
● Texas Parks and Wildlife. (April 2016). Texas Monarch and Native Pollinator Conservation Plan. https://tpwd.texas.gov/publications/pwdpubs/media/pwd_rp_w7000_2070.pdf
● Nebraska Monarch Pollinator Initiative and Nebraska Game and Parks. (Sept 2017). Conservation Strategy for Monarchs (Danaeus plexippus) and At-risk Pollinators in Nebraska. http://outdoornebraska.gov/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Monarch-Pollinator- Plan_NE_without-plant-appendix_Sept2017.pdf
● Monarchs Collaborative Steering Committee. (30 April 2019). Missouri Monarch and Pollinator Conservation Plan. https://dnr.mo.gov/education/documents/MOforMonarchs- ConservPlan.pdf
● Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation. Western Monarch Call to Action. https://xerces.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/19-001_Western-monarch-call-to- action_XercesSociety.pdf
31
Relationships between Steering Committee, Program Partners, and Program Advisors: Several leading monarch conservation organizations that authored the above recovery plans have agreed to be active external advisors to the program, as well as advisors on the Steering Committee to advance and align this work. By creating an open-collaborative space in the creation of this program, we are welcoming insights and partnering with the leading organizations in this field. We will document, map and integrate the variety of conservation efforts through the SAFE Monarch Network. By documenting every organizations’ contributions, we will highlight how the AZA SAFE North American Monarch program creates and reinforces a safety net for monarchs across the continent. Additionally, we will identify the gaps in the network that AZA member organizations and Program Partners can collaborate to fill.
Threats Major threats to North American monarchs causing the decline in the population of both the Eastern and Western populations are:
● Habitat loss decreasing sources of food and migration (including breeding, nectaring, migratory, and overwintering habitats)
● Pesticides ● Climate change ● Disease
These threats were established based on consensus across the 11 monarch conservation plans used to create this SAFE Program Plan. We held an interactive discussion about additional influential factors potentially impacting monarchs using a PESTLE Analysis (CPSG 2019). Discussion topics that were considered by the Program Partners and integrated in this Plan are summarized in Appendix C. The first three threats are the priority threats for the AZA SAFE North American Monarch Program Plan to address. The final threat, disease, has been carefully considered in the context of AZA organizations, using current research on monarch health. Disease in monarchs resulting from infection by the protozoan parasite Ophryocystis elektroscirrha, or OE, is a serious concern, and the use of non-native tropical milkweed as a host plant available year-round is implicated in its increased density and transmission. In addition, captive rearing and release of monarchs in large numbers (whether on tropical or native milkweed) poses unique challenges such as potential migratory behavior changes in adults, confusion of research studies of wild monarchs, and genetic and biogeographic concerns. As such, we do not include these activities as recommended conservation measures for the SAFE Program Plan.
32
The SAFE Monarch program will lead new conservation efforts for AZA institutions to impact monarch butterfly conservation by reducing these threats. AZA institutions will lead efforts by developing new partnerships in their communities for local impact to address these issues across North America.
AZA SAFE North American Monarch’s priority threats to be addressed in this Program Plan:
A lack of native, pesticide-free milkweed plants for monarch caterpillars and a lack of wildlife friendly, pesticide-free pollinator habitat for adult monarchs
A lack of connectivity between pollinator habitats preventing migration and climate change resilience
33
Program Objectives Goals
SAFE Monarch Network To achieve these goals, we will create the SAFE Monarch Network to facilitate connections between all Program Partners (Figure 3). The purpose of the SAFE Monarch Network is to enable relationships to grow between monarch conservation interested organizations, zoos, and aquariums. Rather than planning activities that may reinvent the wheel of other organizations’ current work, this Network will instead connect the projects to share resources and document the breadth of the work across the species’ range. This may include a website or platform to facilitate communications, exchanging resources, reporting new activities, and monitoring key indicators. We will map the status of current Program Partners’ activities to reveal the status of monarch SAFE habitat and the network for migration routes across North America and identify opportunities for program growth to impact the threats across the monarch range.
Goal 1) Native milkweed supply becomes increasingly available and promoted in each region, rather than potentially harmful tropical milkweed for the southern tier of the U.S. Goal 2) Monarch SAFE, pesticide-free milkweed identified, developed, made available, and promoted. Goal 3) Increase the number of milkweed plants across monarch range (1.4 billion milkweed stems needed to support monarch survival (Thogmartin et al. 2017) Goal 4) Promote wildlife friendly landscaping in urban, suburban, and rural areas for increased monarch habitat that includes increased monarch SAFE flowering plants for adult butterflies. Goal 5) Increase connectivity to ease migration and resilience-capability in the face of climate change through the SAFE Monarch Network, support for pro-monarch legislation, and widespread public
ll ’
34
Figure 3: Theory of Change driving the AZA SAFE North American Monarch Program Plan: The AZA SAFE North American Monarch Program Plan aims to facilitate increased organizational activities, followed by increased engagement of the public to address the three major threats to monarch butterflies and create positive conservation outcomes for the species. The relationships between the threats organizational activities public engagement conservation outcomes are detailed in Figures 4-7.
Figure 4: Organizational activities, public engagement strategies, and conservation outcomes to reduce habitat loss that threatens North American monarchs.
•Establish collaborative partnerships
•Include widespread organizations
Create Program
•Increase organization activities
•More resource sharing
Create Network
•Increase public engagement
•Increase monarch SAFE habitat
Lead and Grow
35
Figure 5: Organizational activities, public engagement strategies, and conservation outcomes to reduce habitat loss that threatens North American monarchs.
36
Figure 6: Organizational activities, public engagement strategies, and conservation outcomes to reduce pesticide use that threatens North American monarchs.
37
Figure 7: Organizational activities, public engagement strategies, and conservation outcomes to reduce climate change impacts that threatens North American monarchs.
Defining Participation in this SAFE Program As partners for this new SAFE program, each Program Partner will select at least 1 new Organizational Activity (the green conservation activities in Figures 4-7) to implement, in order to implement new monarch conservation programs at their institution. As such, our initial metric for success will be that the number of Program Partners’ activities is higher across all partners than their number of conservation and engagement activities prior to the start of the AZA SAFE North American Monarch program.
38
Strategic Objectives Seven strategic objectives have been set by the AZA SAFE Monarch Steering Committee (Table 3). Table 3: Strategic Objectives will be achieved through actions across the 4 dimensions of conservation, engagement, awareness, and funding. Refer to Program Summary Table beginning on p. 44 for full descriptions.
Strategic Objective Conservation Actions
Engagement Actions
Awareness Actions
Funding Actions
1. Create, grow partnerships, and map the SAFE Monarch Network
1.1, 1.5 1.4 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1,6 1.4
2. Increase supply and norm of using native and pesticide-free plants
2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 2.7, 2.8
2.3, 2.4, 2.5, 2.8 2.3, 2.4, 2.5, 2.6
3.Advocate for pro-monarch legislation
3.1 3.1
4. Increase protection and resources of overwintering sites
4.1, 4.2 4.3 4.4
5. Reduce pesticide use
5.1, 5.2 5.3 5.1
6. Increase connectivity between gardens and promote resilience
6.1 6.1, 6.2
7. Promote reduced resource use
7.1 7.1 7.1, 7.2
39
Program Evaluation We will monitor and measure our progress in achieving our Program’s goals through annual evaluations. We will record the progress of each Program Partner toward implementing new organizational activities for new monarch conservation initiatives. We will monitor how far along these programs are in engaging their local audiences. We will monitor indicators to assess progress toward objectives and program goals, or potential need for adaptation. Target audiences will be defined by each Partner and the Working Groups helping to facilitate the new activities. Engagement and Awareness indicators will be set via Logic Models as the changes expected between the short-, medium-, and long-term goals (e.g., Table 4). Table 4: Example Community Awareness and Engagement Logic Model to address Habitat Loss
Short-term Medium-term Long-term
SAFE Monarch partners identify and build local community partnerships to grow supply of native and pesticide-free milkweed and flowering plants
Supply of native and pesticide-free milkweed and flowering plants increases
Use of supply of native and pesticide-free milkweed and flowering plants increases
Awareness campaigns launch across communities
Communities increase awareness and positive attitudes to native and pesticide-free milkweed and flowering plants
The Community Engagement Working Group also established public engagement techniques and example behavior change evaluation scales that will be useful in evaluating changes in the target audiences’ behaviors (Appendix D). By measuring self-efficacy, social norms, behavioral intention and current behaviors, we monitor how well our programs engage audiences and achieve our objectives to reduce the threats to monarch butterflies.
40
41
Program Summary Table Objectives: 1. Create, grow partnerships, and map the SAFE Monarch Network
Action Description Metrics for evaluation
Timeline Working Group or Program Partners responsible for leading Activity
1.1 Create the SAFE Monarch Network and grow partnerships
Build collaborative network and grow trust between AZA and monarch-conservation organizations; create a platform for communication
Use of Network platform Amount of exchange of information, resources, and communication between SAFE Program Partners Amount of use of the collaboration platform
2020 Steering Committee
1.2 Incorporate current programs and brands
Compile list of certified gardens (CZGB, NWF, MJV, MW, etc.)
All partners feel engaged and brands are integrated, included # of orgs participating
2020 Steering Committee
1.3 Map the SAFE Monarch Network
Document details of and GPS locations for each Program Partners’ projects
Number of projects documented Network analysis completed Program created
2021 Citizen/Community Science and Agricultural Partnerships working groups
1.4 Engage audiences
Create engagement template for all SAFE Monarch partners to engage audiences in the same way, use zoo and
# of audience members that participate in activities
2022 Community Engagement working group, Education and Awareness working group
42
aquariums’ education and communications departments Use current and grow new school and community partnerships Create a shared space for messaging, images and outreach materials for institutions to use
1.5 Map the gardens across all partners
Increase # of communities signing on to NWF Mayor’s monarch pledge or signing on to be a part of the SAFE Monarch Network
# of communities involved
2022 Citizen/Community Science and Agricultural Partnerships working groups
1.6 Connections to SAFE North American Songbirds
Build partnership with SAFE North American Songbirds and overlapping working groups and activities
# of partnerships on shared issues and promoting similar activities
2022 Steering Committee
2. Increase supply and norm of using native and pesticide-free plants
Action Description Metrics for evaluation
Timeline Working Group or Program Partners responsible for leading Activity
2.1 Native milkweed supply
AZA organizations work with partners to increase supplies of native / regional milkweed species seeds and plants over tropical milkweed in the southern tier of U.S. For example, work with Monarch Joint Venture for resources about types of milkweed and availability by region.
Supply of native and pesticide-free milkweed is made available / increases in many communities where a SAFE Monarch Program Partner is by 2021.
2021 Plants and Seeds working group
2.2 Pesticide-free milkweed supply
AZA organizations work with partners to increase supplies of pesticide-free milkweed plants
Amount of supply of native, pesticide-free
2021 Marketing and Fundraising working group with Home Depot; Pesticide and
43
milkweed and flowering habitat # of milkweed stems planted
Plants and Seeds working group
2.3 Planting target plants
Promote behavior change of planting the newly available native, Monarch SAFE milkweed to communities, zoo and aquarium audiences, partners, etc.
Increase in the demand for native plants to plan in local gardens # of gardens # of acres of habitat
2022 Community Engagement
2.4 Planting SAFE nectar plants
Drive/stimulate the broad availability of wildlife friendly, flowering plants (both native and ornamental) to support adult monarchs. Specifically promote turf alternatives that create Monarch SAFE habitat.
Amount of purchase of native and Monarch SAFE plants in communities where Program Partners are
# of flowering plants planted (native or Monarch SAFE)
2022 Marketing and Fundraising working group with Home Depot; Pesticide and Plants and Seeds working group
2.5 Spread best practices for monarch SAFE habitat
Develop and distribute training on how to make Monarch SAFE habitat. Develop messaging that all zoos can use to teach people about the monarch life cycle, that milkweed is the host plant and adult butterflies need nectar and teach them to plant Compile links to all resources from our Program Partners for template for a pollinator garden – share on SAFE website, SAFE
Number of pledges to become a SAFE Monarch garden, or one of our partners’ certifications
2021 Education and Public Awareness, Community Engagement working groups
44
Monarch’s partners’ websites, social media, etc.
2.6 Partnerships for habitat
Partner with State Parks, Departments of Transportation, local, regional, and state governments for increased habitat creation Find nurseries and growers for collaboration to increase diversity of pollinator plants (local nurseries, urban retail garden centers, wholesale nurseries, etc.)
Plants and Seeds working group
2.7 Planting and maintaining habitat
Planting and maintaining Monarch SAFE habitat in urban, suburban, and rural regions
# of acres of Monarch SAFE habitat in Network
2021 Plants and Seeds working group
2.8 Farmers and agriculture land
Partner with Keystone Monarch Collaborative, Farmers for Monarchs and geographically dispersed growers Develop best practices for agricultural land for monarchs, after completing a landscape assessment of what's going on Create communications campaign to activate rural and urban communities Work with farmers, ag and university extension partners, seed and chemical providers, county ag agents to educate and promote Best Management Practices for Monarchs/Pollinators Work with local farmers and communities in planting habitats and gardens in agricultural areas to attract monarchs
# of partners Landscape assessment # of farmers activated Which activities take place in rural regions
2022 Agricultural Partnerships working group
45
3.Advocate for pro-monarch legislation Action Description Metrics for evaluation Timeline Working Group or
Program Partners responsible for leading Activity
3.1 Monarch legislation
Support pro-monarch legislation Develop consistent messaging and a campaign for AZA institutions to encourage advocacy for pro-monarch legislation (Example messaging Toolkit - Appendix E)
Campaign launched # of people who use the AZA Legislative Education Center to support pro-monarch legislation
2020 Community Engagement working group
4. Increase protection and resources of overwintering sites
Action Description Metrics for evaluation Timeline Working Group or Program Partners responsible for leading Activity
4.1 Increase protection of overwintering sites in CA
CA zoos take active partnership or leadership role
Amount of enforcement Amount of resources Amount of monitoring
2021 Overwintering Habitat working group, Citizen/Community Science working group
4.2 Increase protection of overwintering sites in Mexico
Zoos increase resources and support for Mexican organizations working in overwintering sites
Amount of resources Amount of partnership
2021 Overwintering Habitat working group
4.3 Increase public awareness
Increase awareness about habitat monarchs require for overwintering and educate about different habitat needs for entire life cycle Establish monarch specific awareness
Amount of public involvement Amount of monarch annual events
2021 Education/Awareness working group Work with expert partners like: Monarch Butterfly Fund (US based, but funds many projects in Mexico), World Wildlife Fund, Red Monarca, El Fondo
46
day / link to National Pollinator Week Create Western monarch awareness campaign to raise awareness about plight of Western monarchs
Monarca, Alternare. These all have priorities and efforts conserving monarchs and their habitat in Mexico.
4.4 Create fundraising campaign to provide funding to local organizations in US and Mexico protecting overwintering habitat
1) Donate proceeds from plant/seed sales at AZA institutions to protect and restore habitat 2) Donate proceeds from Monarch SAFE branded plants sold at Home Depot or other large nursery to protect and restore monarch habitat 3) Partner with garden flag company to create and sell monarch flag with proceeds used to protect habitat
Funding platform is established Amount of projects on the SAFE Monarch Network that are funded
2022 Education/Awareness and Fundraising working groups
5. Reduce pesticide use
Action Description Metrics for evaluation Timeline Working Group or Program Partners responsible for leading Activity
5.1 Pesticide resources developed
Develop and distribute best practices for pesticide use and better alternatives
Distributed in # of communities
2021 Pesticide working group
5.2 Reduce pesticide use
Zoos/aquariums who pledge to reduce pesticide use
# of pledges of pesticide best practices adopted
2021 Pesticide working group
5.3 Reduce pesticide use
Cities, nurseries, parks, schools, etc. who pledge of reduced pesticide use,
# of pledges of pesticide best practices adopted
2022 Pesticide working group
47
including reducing use of neonicotinoids
6. Increase connectivity between gardens and promote resilience
Action Description Metrics for evaluation Timeline Working Group or Program Partners responsible for leading Activity
6.1 Spread community involvement
Fill gaps in SAFE Monarch Network – creating connected corridors
# of communities involved
2022 Breeding Habitat working group; Community Engagement working group; Agricultural Partnership working group;
6.2 Increase citizen science monitoring of monarchs
Monitoring of sites and public engagement to join in
Increase # of monarchs recorded; Increase # of monarchs recovered
2022 Citizen / Community Science working group
7. Promote reduced resource use
Action Description Metrics for evaluation Timeline Working Group or Program Partners responsible for leading Activity
7.1 Promote reduced carbon footprint on behalf of monarchs
Include more sustainable resource use to help mitigate climate change on monarchs
# of pledges to reduce resources on behalf of monarchs by organizations
2021 Education and Awareness working group; Community Engagement working group
7.2 Increase awareness about climate change and monarchs
Create awareness campaign about how climate change affects monarchs and steps people can take to help
# of pledges to reduce resources on behalf of monarchs by the public
2022 Education and Awareness working group; Community Engagement working group
48
Appendix A Required Program Plan sections listed by page number
Required Section of the Program Plan Page Number
I. Background 5 A. Table of contents and page numbers 2
B. Program Goal 6 C. Program Operational Structure, including Program Leader, Vice Program Leader, Steering Committee, Program Partners, and advisors with contact information (phone numbers and emails)
7-18
D. Conservation Target 21 E. Status of Taxa within AZA Community 23
1. Relation to an AZA Animal Program 23
2. SSP Sustainability designation (if applicable) 23
F. AZA Conservation Activities 24 1. AZA Animal Program Activities (if applicable) 24
2. Individual AZA Member Activities 25
G. AZA Public Engagement Activities 26
II. Species Status 28 A. Conservation Status 28 B. Recovery Plan or other Conservation Plan in effect 28
1. Citation and date of recovery plan and implementing authority 31 2. Relationship of Program Leader and/or Program Partners to
recovery authority 31
C. Threats 28 III. Outlined Objectives 33 A. Conservation Objectives 33-38
1. Metrics for evaluation 39 2. Specific section of recovery plan to which each objective links 41-47
B. Public/Stakeholder Engagement Objectives 33-38
1. Target audience(s) 33-38 2. Metrics for evaluation 39 3. Links to advancing the existing conservation/action plan 41-47
C. Communications/Public Awareness Objectives 33-38
1. Target audience(s) 33-38 2. Metrics for evaluation 41-47
D. Funding Objectives 33-38 1. Projects or action items from to which funds will be applied 41-47 2. Metrics for evaluation 41-47
IV. Program Summary Table 41-47 1. Objectives 41-47 2. Actions 41-47 3. Timeline 41-47 4. Responsible Party/Partner 41-47
49
Appendix B Collaborative Visioning Exercise Aspirational Mission for monarchs:
Figure B1: Common themes from Program Partners’ aspirational statements in response to “What you would like ‘the world’ to look like in 10 years for monarchs?”
50
Operational Mission for leadership of zoos and aquariums in monarch conservation:
Figure B2: Common themes from Program Partners’ operational mission statements in response to “How do we want our organizations to be operating?”
51
Appendix C Exploring Influential factors with a PESTLE Analysis Following the strategic planning process from the Conservation Planning Specialist Group (CPSG), in November 2019, the AZA SAFE North American Monarchs Steering Committee led a discussion with Program Partners about the factors impacting monarchs. We brainstormed possible negative and positive factors from six categories:
1. Political 2. Economic 3. Social 4. Technological 5. Legal 6. Environmental
We then scored each factor on the likelihood of impacting our monarch butterfly conservation program. The higher the influence score, the more important it is for our program to plan to either mitigate the negative factors or leverage the positive factors. Political Factors: both negative and positive factors and their average influence score
Negative 3.82 Positive 3.64
Environmental regulation reductions 4.25 Funding support (Federal, state, and
local) 5
Agricultural policy and subsidies 4 Engagement of people across
borders, rural and urban areas 5
Lobbying by interest groups (e.g. agro-chemical companies)
4 ESA Federal listing of Monarchs in the future
4.33
Climate change policies (or lack of) 4 Current monarch protections in some
states 4
Drug cartel activities within the Monarch's southern habitat
4 Native species landscaping ordinances
4
Land development regulations (Federal lands, proposed wall between US and Mexico, etc.)
3.5 Banning use of neonicotinoid insecticides
4
52
Increasing demand for renewable
resources such as wind energy 4
Ability of the governments to protect the oyamel forests in Mexico from illegal logging
4
Economic Factors: both negative and positive factors and their average influence score
Negative 3.59 Positive
3.59
Conservation dependent on land designated for other uses (e.g. agriculture)
5 Increasing better farming practices to buffer commercial monoculture
5
US economy issues, trade problems with Canada and Mexico
5 Financial incentives (e.g. for better land use)
4.5
Development of natural areas
4.5 Pollinator-friendly, native landscaping increasing (milkweed and nectar plants)
4
Use of pesticides
4.5
Native roadside management
4
market for purchasing larvae or pupa
3 Protecting the economic value of oyamel forests in Mexico.
4
Funding limitations (e.g. the cost of restoring natural habitats for monarchs)
2.5 Economic opportunities allow for increase native planting on fallow farmland
4
Social Factors: both negative and positive factors and their average influence score
Negative 3.22 Positive
3.78
Public engagement and understanding; science literacy; disconnect with nature
4.5 Increased knowledge and concern over climate change and insect declines
5
Disagreement about rearing monarchs
4
People love monarchs and flowers
4
Increasing human population and development
4
Social media campaigns
4
Current resources under-emphasize need for nectar plants over milkweed focus
3
Engaged younger generations
4
53
Social norms for lawns, pesticides, and fertilizers
2.5 Increasing interest in native plants and monarch citizen science
3
Increasing plant-based diets - more land for native plants?
3
Technological Factors: both negative and positive factors and their average influence score
Negative 2.64 Positive 3.93
Social media reach 5
New / improving tech for monarch / habitat monitoring (e.g. tagging, drones, photo recognition 4.6
Monitoring the spread of OE by ensuring people understand the risks and what acceptable levels should qualify a monarch for release 4
Enhancing use of citizen science apps like iNaturalist 3
Potential for technological solutions in agricultural practices, pesticide use? 3
Climate and statistical modelling improvements 3
Legal Factors: both negative and positive factors and their average influence score
Negative 3.69 Positive
3.84
Legal changes in the use of public lands, increasing destruction
4.5 Local legislation and incentives to allow native planting
5
Captive animal regulations 4
Permits for raising/rearing monarchs 4
Cross border(s) relations – especially Mexico-US
3 If monarch habitat (including breeding, but especially overwintering sites) were legally protected
4
Would endangered listing limit community involvement in community science research and tagging?
3 Will monarchs be protected under Endangered Species Act? Could lead to increased habitat protection and limit pesticides
3.5
54
Environmental Factors: both negative and positive factors and their average influence score Negative 4.82 Positive 2.64
Climate change (leading to degradation of overwintering areas, change in migration patterns, droughts, wildfires)
5 Climate change
3
Habitat loss / degradation (e.g. deforestation, host plant and nectar plant decline, habitat fragmentation)
5 Positive agricultural practices
2
Pesticide Use and pollution 5
Negative Agricultural practices 4.5
OE parasite spread 4
55
Appendix D
Public Engagement Example Strategies Construct - Direct experience / self-efficacy → procedural for native and pesticide-free plants
○ Techniques for engaging and inspiring action: ■ Create opportunities to try out the action ■ Provide training and practice of conservation actions to build skills ■ Share tools, resources, and simplified instructions to support action ■ Demonstrate cumulative impact so far and provide positive feedback to
reinforce optimism ■ Depict role models or memorable spokespersons as examples of the action and
show their success in completing the action ■ Discuss pathways to create people’s desired outcomes ■ Make it easier, more convenient, and shorter to participate ■ Make it harder to do the undesirable behavior to discourage it
○ Social Norms / community ○ Techniques for engaging and inspiring action:
■ Pledges / commitments / competition / tracking ■ Frame the message by emphasizing how “most people are doing the desired
action” or use “more and more people are doing this” if it’s promoting a new action to create the subjective norm. ■ Encourage commitments to do the desired behavior through public
pledges, signatures, or building accountability with friends and family ■ Create structure for visible participation and publically recognize with non-
monetary awards or acknowledgement for participants ■ Get local businesses, government, or trusted organizations to publically
support the action ■ Create ways for entire families and community groups to get involved ■ Use social comparisons – update data about species seen on focal gardens to
inform people about their impact relative to their neighbors. (Paraphrased from Maynard, in prep., The Workbook for Promoting Conservation Behavior Change)
56
Example Evaluation Scales for Public Engagement Concern
To what extent do you think a reduction in monarch butterfly populations could be a problem for:
Scale
You and your family? 1. It won’t be a problem 2. It will be a small problem 3. It will be a moderate problem 4. It will be a serious problem 5. It will be a very serious problem
The company where you work?
The city where you live?
Mexico?
The United States?
Canada?
Other species of plants and animals?
Social norms
Questions about Social norms Scale People I know to [insert suggested action]. 1) Strongly Agree –
2) Agree 3) Neither Agree nor Disagree 4) Disagree 5) Strongly Disagree
People I know are concerned about issues related to the environment. People I know think it is important to [insert suggested action]. People I know often [insert suggested action]. Most people who are important to me think I should purchase green products in place of conventional, non-green products. People whose opinions I value would prefer that I [insert suggested action].
I hope to start doing this with my family
1) Strongly Agree - 2) Agree - 3) Neither Agree nor Disagree - 4) Disagree - 5) Strongly Disagree I hope to start doing this with my friends.
1) Strongly Agree - 2) Agree - 3) Neither Agree nor Disagree - 4) Disagree - 5) Strongly Disagree
57
Self-Efficacy How strongly do you believe that you …
● Know what to do to help solve climate change ● Can take small actions that will make a difference ● Will take actions to help solve climate change problems
Rate your degree of confidence in creating habitat for monarchs.
● 1. Not confident at all 2 3 4 5. Extremely confident I have enough knowledge on how to plant native and pesticide-free milkweed and flowering plants
1) Strongly Agree - 2) Agree - 3) Neither Agree nor Disagree - 4) Disagree - 5) Strongly Disagree
I have the needed skills to plant native and pesticide-free milkweed and flowering plants 1) Strongly Agree - 2) Agree - 3) Neither Agree nor Disagree - 4) Disagree - 5) Strongly Disagree
Do you feel you are personally able to help protect biodiversity. (Clayton et al. 2017)
● 1. Not confident at all 2 3 4 5. Extremely confident Behavioral intention
Question Not at all Maybe someday I will do this
I plan to do this I already do this some of the time
I already do this as often as I can
Would you like to do more to protect monarch butterflies?
1 2 3 4 5
Would you like to buy pesticide alternatives?
1 2 3 4 5
Would you like to buy pesticide- free plants?
1 2 3 4 5
Would you like to buy native plants?
1 2 3 4 5
58
Appendix E Example Engagement Messages for Monarch Legislation
59
Citations References used to inform AZA SAFE North American Monarch program plan: Communications Department of the Secretariat of the Commission for environmental Cooperation
(CEC). (2008). North American Monarch Conservation Plan. Retrieved from: https://www.fs.fed.us/wildflowers/pollinators/Monarch_Butterfly/news/documents/Monarch-Monarca-Monarque.pdf
Conservation Planning Specialist Group (CPSG). 2019. “Facilitating Species Conservation Planning
Workshops” training course. Retrieved from: https://www.cpsg.org/ Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources. (Jan 2018). Kentucky Monarch Conservation
Plan. https://fw.ky.gov/Wildlife/Documents/ky_monarch_plan.pdf Halbritter, D. A., Daniels, J. C., Whitaker, D. C., Huang, L. (2015) Reducing Mowing Frequency
Increases Floral Resource and Butterfly (Lepidoptera: Hesperioidea and Papilionoidea) Abundance in Managed Roadside Margins. Florida Entomologist, 98(4):1081-1092
https://doi.org/10.1653/024.098.0412 Indiana Wildlife Federation. (10 Aug 2018). Indiana Monarch Conservation Plan. Retrieved
from:https://www.indianawildlife.org/lib/uploads/files/Indiana%20Monarch%20Conservation%20Plan_810-18.pdf
Lewis, A. D., Bouman, M. J., Winter, A., Hasle, E., Stotz, D., Johnston, M. K., & Czarnecki, C.
(2019). Does Nature Need Cities? Pollinators Reveal a Role for Cities in Wildlife Conservation. Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution, 7, 220.
Monarchs Collaborative Steering Committee. (30 April 2019). Missouri Monarch and Pollinator
Conservation Plan. Retrieved from: https://dnr.mo.gov/education/documents/MOforMonarchs- ConservPlan.pdf
Monarch Joint Venture (MJV). (2019). Monarch Conservation Implementation Plan. Retrieved from:
https://monarchjointventure.org/images/uploads/documents/2019_Monarch_Conservation_Implementation_Plan_FINAL.pdf
Monarch Watch. 2020. Migration and Tagging. Retrieved from:
https://www.monarchwatch.org/tagmig/ National Fish and Wildlife Foundation. (9 Aug. 2016). Monarch Butterfly Business Plan. Retrieved
from: https://www.nfwf.org/monarch/Documents/monarch-business-plan.pdf Nebraska Monarch Pollinator Initiative and Nebraska Game and Parks. (Sept 2017). Conservation
Strategy for Monarchs (Danaeus plexippus) and At-risk Pollinators in Nebraska. Retrieved
60
from: http://outdoornebraska.gov/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Monarch-Pollinator- Plan_NE_without-plant-appendix_Sept2017.pdf
Oklahoma Monarch and Pollinator Collaborative. (April 2018). Oklahoma Monarch and Pollinator
Collaborative Statewide Monarch Conservation Plan. Retrieved from: http://www.okiesformonarchs.org/wp content/uploads/2018/10/OMPC-Monarch- Conservation-Plan.pdf
Texas Parks and Wildlife. (April 2016). Texas Monarch and Native Pollinator Conservation
Plan. Retrieved from: https://tpwd.texas.gov/publications/pwdpubs/media/pwd_rp_w7000_2070.pdf
The Midwest Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies. (11 May 2018). Mid-America Monarch
Conservation Strategy 2018-2038. Retrieved from: http://www.mafwa.org/wpcontent/uploads/2018/07/MAMCS_June2018_Final.pdf
Thogmartin, W. E., Diffendorfer, J. E., López-Hoffman, L., Oberhauser, K., Pleasants, J., Semmens, B.
X., Semmens, D., Taylor, O. R., & Wiederholt, R. (2017). Density estimates of monarch butterflies overwintering in central Mexico. PeerJ, 5, e3221. https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.3221
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS). 2020. Assessing the status of the monarch butterfly. Retrieved
from: https://www.fws.gov/savethemonarch/SSA.html Western Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies. (Jan 2019). Western Monarch Butterfly
Conservation Plan 2019-2069. Retrieved from: https://www.wafwa.org/Documents%20and%20Settings/37/Site%20Documents/Committees/Monarch/Western%20Monarch%20Butterfly%20Conservation%20Plan%202019- 2069.pdf
Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation. 2018. Western Monarch Call to Action.
Retrieved from: https://xerces.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/19-001_Western-monarch-call-to- action_XercesSociety.pdf