Who We Are

Camp Monarch is a newly founded nonprofit committed to addressing the loss of vital habitats for the Monarch Butterfly and many other species across North America.  Right now, we are a small but dedicated team of passionate individuals determined to take action for wildlife and biodiversity. Our work begins by laying the foundation for a network of habitat restoration projects, with a focus on empowering landowners to be part of the solution.

As we get started, we’re recruiting founding members who share our vision of restoring fragmented ecosystems and reconnecting wildlife corridors. Our work may still be in its early stages, but we know that with the right people, every small step will lead to big impact.

Our Roots

Camp Monarch began with the realization that our everyday environments can be so much more than they are. My family moved to a property that was pretty typical — just grass, a few trees, and a lot of mowing. I started ambitious garden projects, planting large beds of fruits, vegetables, and flowers with pathways between.  I had bitten off more than I could chew and pretty soon my carefully curated garden beds were bursting with things I hadn't planted or intended to grow. But something unexpected happened: the areas I wasn't able to tend started to transform. 

"Weeds" turned out to be wildflowers that attracted more bees and flies than I ever knew about.  "Weeds" developed big seed heads that attracted whole flocks of birds to feed on them. "Weeds" turned out to be trees that attract birds to hunt and roost in their branches.  "Weeds" turned out to be things that even me and my family could eat! The more I allowed nature to reclaim space, the more diverse and vibrant my backyard became.  It is now a vibrant ecosystem with frogs, toads, lizards, turtles, snakes, bees, dragonflies, butterflies, moles, chipmunks, rabbits, flocks of birds, swarms of lightning bugs, and on and on.

In the backdrop of this personal transformation, I was learning about the global biodiversity crisis and the severe impact of climate change and habitat loss. It struck me that what I was witnessing in my own backyard mirrored what’s happening on a much larger scale — our cities, lawns, and farms are habitats lost, places where nature has been pushed out.

Then came the news that the Monarch Butterfly, an iconic species, was officially declared endangered. This hit me hard. It was a clear symbol of the larger problem we face: the land we claim for human use is leaving little room for other species, fragmenting populations and threatening entire ecosystems. But as I looked at my own yard, once a barren lawn now transformed into a thriving habitat, I realized that the solution was within reach.

The truth is, we will never have enough national parks or preserves to solve the biodiversity crisis alone. We need to reconnect wildlife corridors, like the one that supports the Monarch Butterfly migration, by transforming portions of our backyards, farms, and even small plots of land into waypoints for wildlife. Camp Monarch was founded with this vision in mind: to inspire and empower property owners across the country to create sanctuaries for wildlife right where they are. Together, we can create the network needed to help species like the Monarch and many others survive and thrive.

Core Values

• Stewardship - We are committed to the protection and restoration of natural habitats through long-term ecological care. By nurturing the land, we ensure that ecosystems thrive for generations to come.

• Diversity - We celebrate the diversity of life within ecosystems and strive to foster inclusivity within the communities we work with. Biodiversity is key to resilience, and so is diversity among those who work to protect it.

• Do No Harm - We prioritize ethical practices that safeguard wildlife, ecosystems, and people. Our approach to conservation always ensures that we leave the environment and communities better, not worse.

• Community Empowerment - We believe in the power of collective action. By inspiring individuals and communities to restore nature in their own backyards and beyond, we build a movement that fosters real, sustainable change.

• Sustainability - Our efforts are rooted in promoting practices that are not only environmentally sound but also beneficial for future generations. Sustainable actions today ensure that nature thrives tomorrow.

• Well-being - We encourage care for both nature and each other. By promoting self-care and community well-being, we strengthen the human connection to nature and foster mutual support in our work.

• Connection - We believe in the importance of reconnecting nature’s fragmented wildlife corridors, and also reconnecting people with nature and with each other. In a world where humans have grown distant from the natural world, we strive to help people rediscover the value of living in harmony with their environment and with one another.