The Monarch Butterfly has received considerable attention in recent years due to a drastic decline in population. Other pollinating insect species, such as honey bees, native bees and butterflies, are also believed to be declining. In 2014, two butterfly species in North Dakota were listed under the Endangered Species Act as threatened or endangered and one bumble bee was listed in March 2017. As of 2016, there are four additional insects in North Dakota, including the Monarch, which have been petitioned to be listed under the Endangered Species Act as well. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is in the process of conducting status reviews in response to the petitions, which may take several years.
This North Dakota Monarch and Native Pollinator Strategy outlines voluntary actions to increase the Monarch population in its summer range and further pollinator conservation in North Dakota. The Strategy will increase our knowledge of the recently listed insects as well as those under review by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and other species that may be petitioned in the future. This strategy will describe the efforts – habitat conservation, education and outreach, and research and monitoring – that have recently been implemented or are proposed to be implemented for Monarchs and other native pollinators in North Dakota. The North Dakota Game and Fish Department and the partners on this strategy will attempt to carry out conservation efforts to sustain these key species on the North Dakota landscape. The partners will agree to provide annual updates through the year 2020 on research or monitoring and report progress on implementation and effectiveness of the conservation actions to demonstrate success of Monarch and native pollinator conservation in North Dakota.