It’s nice in a time of a lot of sad health, economic and environmental news to learn that there are bright spots on the horizon. This time it’s for monarch butterflies. I’ve always been fascinated by the two-way yearly migration of these beautiful creatures.

Good Reporting by Grist

According to Zoya Teirstein, writing for Grist.org, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has reached a historic deal to protect the delicate butterflies. The article notes these creatures pass through multiple states on their annual trek to and from Mexico. And along their way the creatures play an important role in protecting our biodiversity.

The Agreement

The agreement, developed by the Fish and Wildlife in partnership with the University of Illinois at Chicago, doesn’t put monarch butterflies on the country’s official endangered species list. Instead, it promotes collaboration between industry and state and federal officials to protect the butterflies and other pollinators. That way, companies and private landowners can participate in monarch habitat conservation and maintenance while continuing to operate in monarch habitats without violating federal law, according to Grist.

May Sound Suspicious

That approach might sound suspicious. But it has succeeded before — most notably with the sage grouse, a good-looking bird that industry and federal stakeholders worked together to protect. However in the grouse’s case, the Trump administration nullified the agreement. In the monarch’s situation, though, more than 45 companies have signed on. And many believe this will stick.

26 Million Acres Involved

In all, up to 26 million acres of private, federal, and state land could be protected by the pact if all the stakeholders involved  keep their promises. Grist quotes Tara Cornelisse, a scientist at the Center for Biological Diversity, as calling on the government to make sure industry follows through on these commitments. She said the deal is a “step in the right direction.” If all goes according to plan, it looks like monarchs might squeak by on a wing and a prayer, the Grist piece concludes.

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