News
May 24, 2018
DES MOINES, IOWA—Funding and planning assistance are available to implement habitat for monarch butterflies and other pollinators on Iowa farms through USDA’s Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP). Interested landowners should visit their local Natural Resources Conservation Service (...
May 11, 2018
The Midwest Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (MAFWA) welcomes public comments through May 31 on a draft conservation plan that provides a blueprint for reversing the decline of the eastern monarch butterfly population.
May 03, 2018
March 29, 2018
By Bob Hartzler, ISU Extension weed scientist
The Center for Biological Diversity (CBD) recently released a report (A menace to monarchs) describing the threat to monarch butterflies posed by an increased use of dicamba. While I have been fairly critical of the Xtend system1 due ...
March 21, 2018
The Iowa Monarch Conservation Consortium was honored to receive the "Leadership in Collaboration Award" as part of the Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Leader Awards presented on March 6.
The Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Leader Awards were created to recognize, honor and promote Iowa...
March 16, 2018
The eastern population of monarch butterflies is declining. We know they need milkweed to thrive… but what size should milkweed patches be? How far apart should patches be? How will planting of milkweed in roadsides and on CRP land affect monarch population growth? Trying to answer...
March 12, 2018
The Iowa Monarch Conservation Consortium has set a goal of acres devoted to monarch butterfly habitat in the state by 2038.
“The consortium has worked collaboratively with diverse stakeholders to develop a comprehensive plan to expand habitat on our agricultural land, urban areas, roadsides, and...
March 02, 2018
by Carol Brown
The loss of a little butterfly could have big implications for Iowa farmers. The eastern monarch butterfly population has decreased 80 percent during the past two decades. The United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) will decide in 2019 if the iconic orange and black insect...
February 26, 2018
Iowa Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) has two conservation program opportunities earmarked for landowners to implement monarch habitat practices: the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) and the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP). The next funding cutoff deadline...
February 21, 2018
AMES, Iowa – A group of Iowa 4-H'ers will come to Ames March 2–3 to be trained as a cadre of leaders for a new STEM curriculum, "Monarchs on the Move." Once trained, the young people will share their excitement and knowledge about monarchs with youth across the state. They’ll use a program designed...
January 24, 2018
The eastern population of monarch butterflies has declined significantly over the past 20 years. As the figure here illustrates, Iowa is in the heart of the summer breeding range for these iconic insects. Habitat restoration that includes planting native milkweed species is critical...
January 21, 2018
Over 100 years ago, ISU Extension and Outreach engaged 4-H youth in growing better varieties of corn as a way to get the innovation to their farmer parents. When your son or daughter has higher yields than you do, you pay attention. That proven method of technology transfer is being rolled out...
January 11, 2018
Join the ISU monarch research team as a research assistant! Lab technician roles for monarch and milkweed research are available immediately. APPLICATIONS ARE DUE JAN 31. All levels of experience are encouraged to apply and applications will be reviewed until all roles are filled....
December 26, 2017
The Iowa Renewable Fuels Association (IRFA) launched the new Monarch Fueling Station Project, which encourages biofuel producers in Iowa to add monarch butterfly habitat near production facilities.
“Iowa’s ethanol and biodiesel plants are scattered across Iowa and also tend to have a lot of...
October 25, 2017
The eastern population of monarch butterflies has declined significantly during the past 20 years. As the figure here illustrates, Iowa is in the heart of the summer breeding range for these monarchs. Habitat restoration that includes planting native milkweed species is critical for...
August 22, 2017
Participants at the recent monarch conservation field day enjoyed a beautiful morning, lively conversation, and hands-on activities! Wendy Wintersteen, endowed dean of ISU's College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, welcomed nearly 40 attendees and highlighted monarch conservation efforts happening...
August 04, 2017
When people think of STEM research, butterflies aren’t typically what come to mind.
Three women are working to change that perception.
Kelsey Fisher, a graduate student in entomology, Riley Nylin, a junior in agricultural systems technology, and Signey Hilby, one of 19 students participating...
August 04, 2017
AMES, Iowa – Monarch butterfly populations have taken a nosedive over the last 20 years, according to researchers who monitor the number of butterflies that spend the winter in Mexico every year. But organizations of citizen scientists in the United States who conduct yearly censuses of monarchs in...
July 19, 2017
There's a lot of effort going to save the Monarch Butterfly as its population declines and that includes finding out how and why they move from one place to the next.
At Iowa State University, PhD entomology student Kelsey Fisher says, "The first question we're asking is to see, how...
July 11, 2017
AMES, Iowa — Research on increasing habitat for monarch butterflies will be among the topics presented at the July 20 field day at the Iowa State University Western Research and Demonstration Farm near Castana.
The field day is open to the public at no charge. It will begin at 10 a.m. at...
June 30, 2017
AMES, Iowa — A new U.S. Geological Survey study highlights multiple options for restoring monarch breeding habitat in the Midwest to support recovery of the monarch butterfly.
The study outlines a challenging goal, but it’s one that the Iowa Monarch Conservation Consortium and the...
June 19, 2017
AMES, Iowa – Determining the right mix of perennials to use as habitat for monarch butterflies and bees can be challenging. Researchers with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach have worked to provide a mix that provides a diversity of flowers that bloom throughout the growing season.
...
June 12, 2017
CRAWFORDSVILLE, Iowa – Iowa State University’s Southeast Research and Demonstration Farm will host its annual spring field day June 22. The event will provide information on a wide range of subjects, with ISU Extension and Outreach specialists leading demonstrations and discussions.
...
June 07, 2017
Ames, Iowa—Iowa Learning Farms will host a monarch butterfly and wetland field day Wednesday, June 14th. The 10:30a.m.-12:30 p.m. field day will be held at a CREP wetland near Story City. The field day is free and open to the public and includes a complimentary meal. The field day is in partnership...
May 11, 2017
AMES, Iowa – Research has shown a steep decline in North America’s monarch butterfly population. The 2016 Iowa Farm and Rural Life Poll examined ways farmers might help reverse that decline through habitat restoration. The survey’s questions examined farmer awareness, concern and willingness to...
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