The monarch butterfly's migratory journey from Canada —through Oregon — to Mexico is a breeze compared with the federal government's lengthy process to protect the dwindling species. Why it matters: The monarch's population has declined more than 80% since the 1990s,

The splashy monarch butterfly only lives about five weeks, but its entire survival is in question due to threats posed by development and pesticides.

The Trump administration is reopening public comment on a proposed rule that would list the monarch butterfly as threatened under the Endangered Species Act.