Maria Luisa Rossel is the Press Secretary at the National Wildlife Federation.

The NWF’s mission is to unite all Americans and ensure the thriving of wildlife and people in a rapidly changing world.

I spoke with Maria Luisa on a recent episode of Fulcrum Democracy Forum (FDF). The program engages citizens in evolving government to better meet all people’s needs. Consistent with the Fulcrum’s mission, FDF strives to share many perspectives to widen our readers’ viewpoints.

Earlier this year, the NWF brought a startling study to the public. The Xerces Society’s annual Western Migratory monarch butterfly count recorded only 9,119 butterflies, the second-worst year in the organization’s count. That’s an approximately 96 percent decline from last year’s count.

“The species has been in decline for the last years,” Maria Luisa said. “The proposal of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will provide the resources for the restoration of their habitats.”

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is reopening the public comment period for a proposed rule to list the monarch butterfly as a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act. The proposed rule includes species-specific protections and flexibilities to encourage butterfly conservation under section 4(d) of the ESA.

The reopening of the public comment period for the monarch butterfly will be published in the Federal Register Reading Room today. A reopened 60-day comment period will open on March 19, 2025, and close on May 19, 2025. Information about how to submit comments can be found on regulations.gov by searching for docket number FWS-R3-ES-2024-0137.

A Peruvian-American, Maria Luisa also shared what inspired her to work in the Communications field and how she leverages her bilingualism in the work she leads. “In the United States, we have to include all communities.” She said there are new efforts to reach Hispanic and Latino audiences in English and Spanish to “let them know why it is important to advocate for your environment” and to learn what resources are available to them.

“The more you know, and the more active you are, (the more) you have the capacity to change,” she said.

Claudia-Galeno Sanchez inside of her backyard butterfly sanctuary. Credit: Jacqueline Cardenas

Claudia Galeno-Sanchez, a resident of Chicago, is one of those people who are active and trying to affect positive change. Galeno-Sanchez is the founder of Women for Green Spaces, an organization that promotes access to green spaces and the growth of pollinators in the Pilsen neighborhood of Chicago by growing native plants for the monarch habitat to thrive.

“Honestly, I would like to feel that all this is helping but I am losing hope. I don’t want to lose them,” She said, letting out a deep sigh before picking her head up and saying with conviction: “Look, we can’t lose hope because we have no other choice. I want my grandchildren to know about the monarch butterflies.”

SUGGESTION: ‘We Can’t Lose Hope’: A Mother’s Mission To Save Monarch Butterflies

Members of the Pilsen community helped paint butterflies outside of Claudia-Galeno’s home. Credit: Jacqueline Cardenas

Editor’s Notes: Hugo Balta is the executive editor of the Fulcrum and a board member of the Bridge Alliance Education Fund, the parent organization of The Fulcrum. He is the publisher of the Latino News Network and a trainer with the Solutions Journalism Network.