Monarch conservation by the numbers

  • 211,274 acres of Williams-owned, leased and easement-held lands are enrolled in the conservation program.
  • The enrolled lands span 24 states across Williams’ footprint.
  • Williams has established a target of implementing conservation practices on more than 24,500 acres.

Williams joined a nationwide conservation program focused on one of North America’s most iconic pollinators: the monarch butterfly. Williams recently signed a Certificate of Inclusion in the Nationwide Candidate Conservation Agreement with Assurances (CCAA) for Monarch Butterflies on Energy and Transportation Lands.

The agreement provides regulatory assurances for covered activities on enrolled lands if the monarch is listed under the Endangered Species Act in the future.

“Our rights of way connect communities across the country,” said Lynda Schubring, senior manager, Permitting. “Through this agreement, we’re also supporting monarch butterflies while safely operating the infrastructure our customers rely on every day.”

Why it matters

Monarchs are one of North America’s most recognizable pollinators, but their populations have declined as key habitat has been lost or degraded.

Williams rights of way already include low-growing grasses and flowering plants. With thoughtful vegetation management, those corridors can support monarchs while preserving access for maintenance and operations.

Practices will vary by location and operational need, but may include:

  • Planting or seeding native milkweed and nectar-producing plants
  • Adjusting mowing schedules to support breeding and migration periods
  • Leaving suitable habitat undisturbed during portions of the growing season
  • Using targeted vegetation management to control invasive or undesirable plants

The University of Illinois Chicago administers the nationwide agreement under a permit issued by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Since 2020, organizations have used it to advance conservation across energy and transportation lands nationwide.

The bottom line

Williams supports monarchs and other pollinators by integrating conservation into land it already manages while continuing to deliver the energy communities count on every day.