Ames, IA – The Iowa Monarch Conservation Consortium (IMCC) is delighted to announce the hiring of Mykayla Hagaman as the new Program Specialist for the Consortium. Mykayla brings expert knowledge on establishing pollinator habitat in urban areas, and is excited to work with the consortium on their efforts to promote monarch habitat across the state.
With a vast knowledge on native plants and plant-pollinator interactions, Mykayla is a valuable addition to the IMCC team. Her passion for pollinator research and community engagement make her an excellent choice to help bolster our current conservation efforts.
Prior to Joining the IMCC, Mykayla worked with the Illinois Natural History survey to monitor statewide monarch populations and research milkweed establishment in both native grasslands and public parks. This past August, Mykayla completed her Master’s degree from the University of Central Florida where she collaborated with developers, landscape architects, and the general public to research how to best establish native plants in suburban landscapes and implemented her findings in new developments around the Central Florida area.
As the new Program Specialist for the Iowa Monarch Conservation Consortium, Mykayla will help coordinate the conservation strategies of Consortium members and will work towards increasing our outreach and communication with the general public. Her contributions will be essential for engaging with diverse communities across the state to further the IMCC’s conservation goals.
“Pollinator conservation is something I am really passionate about,” said Mykayla. “I love how collaborative conservation can help connect people with nature while also working to protect beautiful creatures like the Monarch. I am really excited to be joining this amazing team and am looking forward to our future projects.”
The Iowa Monarch Conservation Consortium is a group of 50 organizations, including agricultural and conservation associations, agribusiness and utility companies, universities, and federal agencies, working together to sustain and advance monarch butterfly conservation efforts in Iowa. Through research, habitat restoration, public education, and community engagement, the IMCC aims to reverse the decline of monarchs and protect their essential migration corridors.
To learn more about the Iowa Monarch Conservation Consortium, visit iowamonarchs.info and follow @IowaMonarchs on Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube.