Monarch Butterfly Gardens

Thanks to generous funding from Monarch Joint Venture and U.S. Forest Service International Programs, EDI has engaged urban and exurban residents of San Diego in an effort to establish habitat that specifically support monarch butterflies. We identified 28 home garden sites and installed monarch butterfly gardens at each location. Priority was given to residents from underserved communities and different climactic zones throughout San Diego County. This project aims to support the recovery of the western monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus), a species that has declined by more than 90% since the 1980s.

Our staff continue to collaborate with the selected program participants to provide support in caring for their monarch habitat gardens. EDI will provide ongoing technical support to program participants, including site visits, through March 2025.