Our mission is to bring back the endangered monarch butterflies and other pollinators and wildlife one habitat at a time. We can build back biodiversity by creating local habitats that foster our native plants and wildlife for generations. If you plant it, they will come!

Story of Monarch Defenders founder, Noah Raven

I am a 15-year old resident of Chestnut Hill, Philadelphia. Several years ago, in 2022, my family traveled to the oyamel fir forests of central Mexico, where monarch butterflies from all over the eastern United States and Canada roost during the winter. Millions of monarchs hung in huge clumps on the trees as we stared in amazement. This life-changing experience started my journey into local biodiversity conservation.

After witnessing the monarch migration firsthand, I learned that these spectacular creatures are at risk. Monarch butterflies have declined by 90% in the last few decades due to habitat loss, pesticide use, climate change, and other human impacts. But it’s not just monarchs that are in peril — wildlife populations across the country and beyond are plummeting as we enter an unprecedented global biodiversity crisis. Scientists believe that we are entering the 6th mass extinction in Earth’s history as one million species across the globe face extinction from humans.

But I learned that each new habitat that supports nature, no matter how small, will bring back biodiversity. By planting native plants that support local pollinators and wildlife, we can foster biodiversity for generations. So I started the group Monarch Defenders, which aims to plant native pocket meadows in Philadelphia and beyond to support monarch butterflies and other pollinators. 

Monarch Defenders Philly, our Philadelphia chapter, has currently restored and revitalized two urban native meadow habitats to support and foster local biodiversity. We are involved in ecological restoration to turn turf grass, invasive species, and trash dumps into native biodiverse meadows, serving as a beacon of hope for plants, wildlife, and people.