Efforts to conserve monarch butterflies in Iowa are making significant progress, with more than 690,000 acres of habitat established statewide since 2015. This represents 88 percent of the Iowa Monarch Conservation Consortium’s (IMCC) low-end goal of reaching 790,000 acres by 2038, according to the recently updated Monarch Conservation Effort Report. Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Director Kayla Lyon says, “This report highlights the tremendous work we have made but also underscores the need for continued conservation efforts by all stakeholders. The Iowa Department of Natural Resources is proud of its partnerships with private landowners, conservation organizations, and state and local agencies that contribute to monarch conservation in Iowa.” Public lands have exceeded both low- and high-end goals for habitat acreage and milkweed abundance, while the agricultural sector has achieved 96 percent of its low-end acreage goal. The IMCC, a coalition of 50 organizations, continues to engage communities in habitat establishment and conservation education. More information is available by following the link included below.
______
