Iowa Monarchs

The updated version of our Monarch Conservation Effort Report is now available! This summary contains new habitat data through 2022 and tracks the progress we’ve made towards reaching our conservation goals. cals.iastate.edu/news/2024/iowa…

#FunFact! Did you know that most bees don’t sting? Male bees cannot sting, and the females of many species cannot sting either! Those that can sting generally do so only to protect their nest or if they feel frightened, so if you give bees space, you should get along just fine.

#ForeverTrueDay is coming, and we're raising money for our free native plants program and our monarch radio telemetry research! Donate on April 1st and 2nd for the chance to win a native pollinator garden design consultation or name a tagged monarch! forevertrueday.com

Iowa’s #WildlifeActionPlan is turning 20! This strategy guides habitat restoration, wildlife monitoring, and educational outreach. It also directs conservation efforts towards Species of Greatest Conservation Need. To learn more, visit @iowadnr's website: iowadnr.gov/programs-servi…

Enrolling low-yield cropland into CRP is a great way to save you time and money while also supporting pollinators! Continuous enrollment for CRP is open through March 20th while General CRP is open until April 17th. See if CRP is right for your farm: fsa.usda.gov/resources/cons…

Upcoming events: - Iowa Learning Farms is hosting a cover crops and CRP field day on April 2nd! Learn about various agricultural conservation practices and enjoy a free meal! facebook.com/events/1982325… #CoverCrops #SustainableAgriculture #CRP #Events #IowaMonarchs

@ReimanGardensIA's Day of Insects is right around the corner! Join us for a day full of discussions on insects, pollinators, and arthropods in general. It’s sure to be a lot of fun 😊 reimangardens.com/events #IowaMonarchs #DayOfInsects26 #Arthropods #Events #Pollinators

Happy National #LearnAboutButterfliesDay! Can you match these host plants to their butterfly in the previous post? Place your guesses in the comments below and check back in later this month for the answers! #IowaMonarchs #TriviaTime #HostPlants #NativePlants

Happy National #LearnAboutButterfliesDay! Can you match these butterflies to their host plant in the next post? Place your guesses in the comments below and check back in later this month for the answers! #IowaMonarchs #TriviaTime #HostPlants #NativePlants

Join us tomorrow in Calhoun County to discuss all things pollinator gardening! From prairie pockets to the history of gardening in Iowa, this is sure to be a fun event. @ISUExtCalhoun extension.iastate.edu/calhoun/backya… #IowaMoanrchs

Happy National #JewelDay, or Jewel Weed Day that is! 🙂This native plant gets its name from the the way its leaves shimmer when rained on or how dew collects on the plant and is thought to cure poison ivy and stinging nettle! #FlowerFriday @ISU_YardGarden prairiemoon.com/impatiens-pall…

One of the first challenges migrating monarchs will face this spring is the extreme drought in southern Texas and surrounding states. It may be difficult for monarchs to find adequate nectar and milkweed resources, highlighting the importance of native, drought tolerant plants.

LANDOWNERS: Do you want more wildlife on your property and a more stable income? The Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) is a voluntary opportunity paying landowners to plant wildlife habitat on tough-to-farm acres. These acres provide tremendous benefits to pheasants, quail, waterfowl, deer, and pollinators, as well as benefiting soil health and water quality. Don’t delay – CRP closes again on April 17th Learn more by visiting with a PF or QF biologist at the link in our bio or visit pheasantsforever.org/crp

Applications are still open for our summer monarch internship positions! Gain hands-on experience in pollinator and vegetation sampling, radio telemetry, and other field skills. Apply by March 27th for full consideration! faculty.sites.iastate.edu/kralob/research

Applications are still open for our summer monarch internship positions! Gain hands-on experience in pollinator and vegetation sampling, radio telemetry, and other field skills. Apply by March 27th for full consideration! faculty.sites.iastate.edu/kralob/research

This glorious green sky fairy is a luna moth, one of the largest moths in North America. Adults don’t even have mouths. You heard that right. No snacking. No sipping. Just living to mate.

Upcoming events! -Applications are open for @ISUANR's Landowner Program! naturalresources.extension.iastate.edu/programs/lando… -Iowa Learning Farms' wetlands virtual field day is March 26th! iowalearningfarms.org/events/wetland… -Center for Rural Affairs' Buffer Strip webinar is on the 26th! cfra.org/buffer-strip-a…

New research shows that higher temperatures decrease plants' nectar quality, leading to lower energy stores for migrating monarchs. To offset changes in nectar quality, it’s important to plant native species that can tolerate higher temperatures. researchgate.net/profile/Greg-M…

#ReadAcrossIowa helps students explore pollinators in agriculture through reading and creative activities! We partnered with @IowaAgLiteracy on a video highlighting the lifecycle of a butterfly with a fun pasta craft you can do in the classroom or at home! youtube.com/watch?v=fVBnvZ…

Looking for a simple way to support local biodiversity? 🐝🌻🐞 Discover a step-by-step guide to plant your own pollinator garden and support native plants. bit.ly/48N8piO

Collaboration is key to monarch conservation. Hear from landowners who partnered with @SyngentaUS and @MonarchsJV to establish pollinator habitat! #MonarchConservation #LandownerSpotlight #SustainableAgriculture #IowaMonarchs