Monarch numbers have declined so much since 2000 that many would consider them an endangered species. Certainly, their iconic migration in large numbers may soon disappear.
Our goal in raising monarchs is not to bolster their numbers--because the real path to their comeback lies in improving their habitat (more milkweed) and eliminating threats to their survival, such as pesticide overuse. Besides, breeding an endangered species runs the risk of spreading disease or reducing their fitness to live in the wild.
Instead, our goal is to help children get to know monarchs and the wonder of their complex life cycle. Then children will want to help the monarchs while there is still time.
How often do you hear people talk about the immense flocks of passenger pigeons, or their spectacular colonies of nests 50 miles long? You don't, because passenger pigeons, once very abundant, are now extinct and forgotten.
It's essential that you pair your education about monarchs with activities to help monarchs. Otherwise, we run the risk of teaching passivity: "Yes, monarchs are amazing, but too bad they are disappearing. Nothing I can do." Yes, teachers are busy people. But kids notice--if you are too busy to teach monarch conservation, then they will be too busy, when grown, to practice it.