A Sign of Hope: Monarchs Returning to Cardinal Valley

As Monarchs migrate south to Mexico, they’re finding a vital stop along their journey at Cardinal Valley Habitat Restoration Area, Webb City, Missouri.

Once scarred by mining, this land is beginning to heal. Milkweed is starting to take hold in high numbers, providing food, shelter, and breeding grounds for these incredible insects.

Watching a Monarch—caterpillar or adult—takes my breath away. Knowing that our efforts have helped bring them back, to their native lands before the mid-1800s, fills me with goosebumps and gratitude. Their presence is a powerful reminder that damaged land can recover, that our work makes a tangible difference, and that hope is alive.

Monarch populations are declining, but each butterfly that stops here represents a future—one where Cardinal Valley continues to thrive and support generations to come. Your support for our documentary helps share this story of restoration, resilience, and the profound connection between people and the land.

by A. Wild