The monarch butterfly is getting a helping hand from the U.S. federal government, which on Monday announced plans to allot US$3.2 million for a program to restore the habitat of the species.

The iconic orange-and-black butterfly that can migrate thousands of miles between the U.S. and Mexico each year has experienced a 90 percent drop in population, with the lowest recorded population occurring in 2013 to 2014.

Like Us on Facebook

About US$2 million will restore more than 200,000 acres of habitat from California to the Corn Belt. The rest is going into a NFWF Monarch Conservation Fund - the first dedicated solely to monarchs - that will provide grants to farmers and other landowners to conserve habitat.

"We can save the monarch butterfly in North America, but only if we act quickly and together. And that is why we are excited to be working with the National Wildlife Federation and National Fish and Wildlife Foundation to engage Americans everywhere, from schools and community groups to corporations and governments, in protecting and restoring habitat. Together we can create oases for monarchs in communities across the country," said U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Director Dan Ashe.

This move by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service comes as it's in the midst of a one-year review to figure out whether to classify the monarch butterfly as a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act. Doing so will afford the butterfly more protection. In December, the agency said there was enough evidence to trigger a review.

The species also faces challenges in Mexico, where its primary wintering grounds are threatened by logging and climate change.

TagsMonarch butterfly, animal extinction, endangered species, Endangered Species Act, butterfly