Regeneration & Resilience Social & Environmental Impact

Methane-Abatement Co-Benefits Support Monarch Migration

Monarch butterflies inspire awe through migrations that span thousands of miles across North America—a cycle repeated generation after generation. Their long-term survival, however, depends on a network of year-round habitats that support breeding, feeding, and overwintering populations. As these habitats decline, so does the resilience of the species.

Across parts of the United States, land degraded by methane-leaking orphan oil and gas wells presents both an environmental challenge and an opportunity. Reclamation and restoration efforts can play a role in addressing emissions while also supporting ecological recovery.

Sponsored Content | This article is sponsored by Rebellion Energy Solutions | By Christina Robertson | Published 3 weeks ago | About a 2 minute read

Image: Monarch Butterfly

Climate Action Meets Conservation

As part of its work plugging methane-leaking orphan oil and gas wells, Rebellion Energy Solutions restores the surrounding land using native ecosystems. The goal is twofold: to ensure permanent, verifiable methane abatement and to deliver environmental co-benefits through land rehabilitation. Restored sites are replanted with native vegetation suited to local conditions, helping stabilize soils and re-establish habitat.

Monarch butterflies depend exclusively on milkweed plants (genus Asclepias) during their larval stage, making the loss of native milkweed a significant contributor to population decline. Restoration efforts that reintroduce milkweed and other native plants can help address this gap.

“When we plug orphan wells, our work doesn’t end there,” says Eric Perner, COO of Rebellion Energy Solutions. “We look at how these sites can be restored with native plants, including milkweed, to support monarchs and other pollinators. Stewardship has to extend beyond emissions reduction.”

Quantifiable Impact and Co-Benefits

To date, Rebellion has established 27 Monarch Waystations certified through Monarch Watch. Designed as resting and feeding sites along migration routes, these areas include milkweed alongside nectar-rich native plants such as coneflowers, asters, and goldenrods.

By pairing methane abatement with land restoration, these projects support multiple outcomes beyond emissions reduction, including improved habitat connectivity, enhanced pollinator resources, and local environmental benefits related to soil and water quality. The approach aligns with broader sustainability frameworks, including U.N. Sustainable Development Goals related to climate action and biodiversity.

How Far and Fast They Fly

Monarchs can travel between 50–100 miles a day, and the full migration can take up to two months. The farthest ranging monarch butterfly recorded traveled 265 miles in a single day.

A Path Forward

Habitat restoration is not limited to large-scale projects. Cross-sector partnerships, land stewardship initiatives, and localized efforts all play an important role as monarch populations continue to face pressure from habitat loss and climate change. Integrating environmental remediation with conservation strategies offers one pathway for aligning climate solutions with ecological resilience.

As these efforts expand, they illustrate how climate action and biodiversity conservation can be pursued together—reinforcing the idea that responsible land management can deliver benefits for both ecosystems and communities.

You Can Help Monarchs, Too

Every backyard, balcony, or community garden can make a difference. Here's what you can do:

Plant Native Milkweed: Choose region-specific varieties such as common milkweed (Asclepias syriaca) or butterfly weed (Asclepias tuberosa).

Avoid Pesticides: Protect monarch caterpillars and other beneficial pollinators.

Create Nectar Sources: Complement milkweed with nectar-rich native plants.