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Monarchs on the move and what it takes to keep them flying.
This story was originally published in the August / September 2026 issue of Wonderful West Virginia.
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Photographed by Tessa Nickels
Every fall, one of nature’s most impressive travelers passes through West Virginia. Monarch butterflies, known for their bright orange and black wings, begin a journey that can stretch more than 1,000 miles. Guided by nothing more than the sun and their instincts, they head south to spend the winter in either southern Florida, California, or Mexico. Even more impressive, the butterflies that return in the spring are rarely the same ones that left. It only takes monarchs one generation to reach Mexico, but it takes multiple generations to return to West Virginia.
Monarchs do more than put on a beautiful show in fields and gardens. As they move from flower to flower, they pollinate plants and support healthy ecosystems. Their presence is a sign of thriving habitats that are filled with wildflowers, milkweed, and other pollinator-friendly plants.
Unfortunately, monarch populations have plummeted in recent years. The eastern North American population—which includes the monarchs that travel through West Virginia—has declined by as much as 90% since 1976. Habitat loss, pesticide use, and climate change all contribute to the decline, but the biggest challenge is the disappearance of milkweed, the only plant monarch caterpillars can eat. Without enough milkweed, monarchs can’t reproduce successfully.
The West Virginia Division of Natural Resources (WVDNR) is working to change that. Through habitat restoration projects, educational programs, and partnerships with landowners across the state, the agency encourages the planting of native milkweed and wildflowers that support monarch butterflies—as well as other butterflies and bees—through their life cycles.
Want to help? Plant native milkweed and nectar-rich flowers in your yard or garden. Cut back on pesticide use, and leave some areas unmowed whenever possible. Even a small pollinator garden can provide a crucial pit stop for monarchs on their long journey. For more tips, visit WVdnr.gov/discover-the-beauty-and-benefits-of-west-virginias-wild-yards-program.
With a little help from West Virginians, these butterflies can continue their journey across our hills and valleys—and fill our skies for generations to come.
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