An annual attraction in Windsor when crowds flock to the area to witness the monarch migration, there's now growing concern that pesticides and climate change, among other factors, are putting the species at risk. In Canada, the butterfly is listed as endangered, and now the United States is looking to put it on a threatened species list that will give it more protection, including for its habitat. The U.S. proposal is now open for public comment, and is also open to Canadians. The CBC's Jennifer La Grassa has more.

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — U.S. wildlife officials announced a decision Tuesday to extend federal protections to monarch butterflies after years of warnings from environmentalists that populations are shrinking and the beloved pollinator may not survive climate change. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service plans to add the butterfly to the threatened species list by the end of next year following an extensive public comment period.

You've probably seen monarch butterflies, and maybe monarch caterpillars, but there's a lot to learn about the monarch life cycle.

Monarch butterflies are some of the most beautiful creatures. Like most people, you have watched them as they flew by or sat near you so you could get a look at their pattern. You might have chased them as a child in hopes of catching one. If you are fond of butterflies, think they are beautiful, or wonder how they get their patterns, you are not the only one. Scientists are right next to you, trying to find answers to the same questions. In fact, their studies go back over 20 years with tagging more than 1 million monarch butterflies so they could get answers about their behavior, patterns, and migration.

U.S. wildlife officials have decided to extend endangered species protections to monarch butterflies. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service plans to add the butterfly to the threatened species list by the end of next year.