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

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service said it is partnering with the National Wildlife Federation and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation to help save the monarch butterfly, whose population has seen a 90 percent decline in recent years.

Some $2 million is going into immediate conservation projects throughout the United States and $1.2 million is going into a NFWF Monarch Conservation Fund, which will be matched by public and private donors.

"We can save the monarch butterfly in North America, but only if we act quickly and together," U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Director Dan Ashe said. "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."

"If we all work together -- individuals, communities, farmers, land managers, and local, state, and federal agencies -- we can ensure that every American child has a chance to experience amazing monarchs in their backyards," NWF President and CEO Collin O'Mara said. "By taking action today and addressing the growing threats that are affecting so much of America's treasured wildlife -- habitat loss, pesticide overuse and climate change -- we will preserve monarchs and America's rich wildlife legacy. The National Wildlife Federation and our state affiliates are proud to stand with the Fish and Wildlife Service, the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, and other key partners on the front lines of action."

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in December announced plans to monitor the monarch butterfly for possible protection status.

If biologists determine the beleaguered butterfly to be significantly threatened by extinction, officials could decide to list the monarch as "endangered" under the Endangered Species Act -- a federal law that affords plants and animals special protections.

Brooks Hays contributed to this report.