We could be #seeing the #last of the #beautiful #monarch #butterflies

Poisons, Destruction of Homes, and Climate Change Have Been Wreaking Havoc on Monarch Butterflies. Officials Must Step In to Save Them Now! Sign Now Dear friends, Each year, gorgeous monarch butterflies fill the sky with their whirring colors and magic during their annual 3,000 mile trek between Mexico, California, and Canada. But while these wondrous winged creatures once numbered in the millions, their populations have recently declined by nearly 80%. In California alone, their swarms used to swell to 4.5 million individuals. Yet in January of this year, only 29,000 butterflies graced the state with their presence. The biggest threat to the survival of monarch butterflies is us. Our use of pesticides and herbicides, destruction of their habitat for new housing developments, and contributions to climate change have all devastated their food, migration patterns, and homes. These are things we can — and must — fix, but we need the U.S. government's help. Officials are currently weighing whether or not to include the monarch on its Endangered Species List, and we must convince them to decide "yes." That's why we are asking you to sign this petition today, urging the U.S. government to protect the monarch butterfly now. Thank you for all that you do,   Miranda B. The Care2 Petitions Team P.S. Where once there were millions, now there are only a few tens of thousands. We must save the monarch butterfly while we still have time!