Buckley Space Force Base makes way for butterfly landings

AURORA | Buckley Space Force Base is flying wingman to some of North America’s most celebrated pilots.

Buckley and federal wildlife officials have joined international efforts to conserve the monarch butterfly, an iconic species known for its multi-generational migration across the continent.

Monarch populations have plummeted by more than 90% in recent years, primarily due to habitat loss, prompting increased conservation measures and consideration for listing the species under the Endangered Species Act.

“Monarch butterflies are an important indicator species for the health of our environment,” Veronica Reed, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Biologist at Buckley said in a statement. “By promoting monarch conservation on military installations like Buckley Space Force Base, we can help ensure the survival of these charismatic creatures for generations to come.”

At Buckley, the Natural Resources Program is restoring approximately 1,000 acres of short-grass prairie by planting native “nectar-rich” plants and milkweed species, essential for supporting monarchs and other pollinators. 

The program collaborates with Monarch Joint Venture and Monarch Watch to implement the Integrated Monarch Monitoring Program and Monarch Watch Tagging Program.

Matthew Hurlbert, natural and cultural resource manager for the 460th Civil Engineer Squadron, underscored the importance of these initiatives. “We value our strong partnership with USFWS on Buckley Space Force Base. Having a full-time USFWS resource expert on base allows us to collect data and conserve important habitats for species like the monarch butterfly without interrupting Buckley’s critical missions,” he said. “We have real opportunities to conserve natural areas on base for the benefit of Buckley and the larger front range ecosystem.”

Data collected at Buckley will aid conservation experts in understanding the impacts of current threats on monarch populations and migration patterns across the nation. These efforts are crucial as monarchs face numerous challenges, including climate change and habitat loss.

The urgency of these conservation efforts is highlighted by recent findings in Mexico. The number of monarch butterflies at their wintering sites in Mexico dropped by 59% this year, marking the second-lowest level since record-keeping began, according to a February 2024 story by the Associated Press. Experts attribute the decline to heat, drought, and habitat loss.

The butterflies’ migration from Canada and the United States to Mexico and back is a natural marvel. No single butterfly completes the entire journey; instead, successive generations carry on the migration. The annual butterfly count in Mexico measures the area occupied by monarchs clustering on tree branches in the mountain pine and fir forests west of Mexico City. This year, they covered only 2.2 acres, down from 5.4 acres last year.

“It has a lot to do with climate change,” said Gloria Tavera, the conservation director of Mexico’s Commission for National Protected Areas. Experts noted that monarchs moved to higher, cooler mountain tops, suggesting some may have been missed in the traditional population counts.

The situation is similarly dire for the western monarch population, which overwinters in California. Ryan Drum, a biologist with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, emphasized the significance of these low numbers. “These low numbers we see here are a challenge for all of us,” he said. The new data will inform the U.S. decision on whether to list the migratory monarchs as endangered or threatened species, with a decision expected in October.

While the monarchs themselves are not at immediate risk of extinction, their migration is threatened. The monarch’s journey, the longest migration of any insect species, involves multiple generations breeding along the way.

Drought, severe weather, habitat loss, pesticide use, and illegal logging all pose significant threats.

Gregory Mitchell, a researcher for Environment and Climate Change Canada, described the decline as “very sobering,” but expressed hope, noting, “We have the drive, we have the tools, we have the people” to address human impacts on monarch migration.

Mitchell also pointed out the effects of climate change, with fewer monarchs seen in Canada this year.

Humberto Peña, head of Mexico’s protected areas, proposed creating a “safe corridor” for migrating butterflies, reducing herbicide and pesticide use, and enforcing stricter anti-deforestation measures.

Amid the troubling news, there was a positive development: deforestation in the Mexican forests where monarchs winter dropped to about 10 acres this year, a significant reduction from the 145 acres lost last year, largely due to decreased illegal logging.

As conservation efforts continue, initiatives like those at Buckley Space Force Base play a crucial role in ensuring the monarch butterfly’s remarkable migration endures for future generations, preservation experts said.

— The Associated Press contributed to this report.