MONARCH Act of 2023

The MONARCH Act of 2023 establishes a $12.5 million annual fund to support habitat restoration for the western monarch butterfly, which has declined by over 99% in 30 years and faces imminent extinction. It provides grants to local governments, tribal agencies, and nonprofits for projects like planting native milkweed, protecting overwintering sites, and restoring breeding habitats across seven Western states (California, Arizona, Nevada, Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Utah). Projects must include tribal consultation, demonstrate conservation potential, and avoid conflicts with food safety practices, with the Secretary of the Interior approving proposals based on their likelihood to aid recovery. The bill requires annual public reports on project outcomes and monarch population status, ensuring transparency in conservation efforts.