EL SEGUNDO, Calif. — The California State Parks Foundation is asking Californians Tuesday to observe and report sightings of any western monarch butterflies.

California Biodiversity Day is celebrated Sept. 5-13, and the data from these observations will help scientists understand where these butterflies are at different times of the year. It will also help inform the upcoming 30th annual Western Monarch Count, according to the California State Parks Foundation’s recent news release.

Millions of western monarchs used to return to coastal California every year, but the population has reportedly plummeted in recent decades. Numerous factors have contributed to this decline, including climate change, habitat loss, pesticides and disease.

The annual Western Monarch Count’s most recent survey found a peak population of 12,260 monarchs, the third-lowest overwintering population ever recorded since tracking began in 1997.

A Species Status Assessment predicts a greater than 95% chance of extinction for western monarchs by 2080.

“The western monarch butterfly is among the most beloved species in our state,” said Randy Widera, director of programs for the California State Parks Foundation. “Californians can play a critical role in preserving our western monarch butterfly population by advocating for the protection of butterfly habitats and helping scientists track butterfly locations. We invite Californians to help support monarch butterfly conservation by taking a few easy steps to report sightings.”

Here are the steps residents can take:

• Download the free iNaturalist app and create an account
• Snap a photo of a monarch butterfly or caterpillar
• Upload an observation to iNaturalist