Director of Monarch Watch states Iowa’s importance in monarch conservation

Dr. Chip Taylor, Director of Monarch Watch at the University of Kansas, was a guest keynote speaker at the Iowa Association of County Conservation Board Employees workshop in Waterloo on Wednesday, Jan. 20. Taylor is pictured talking to some of the audience after his talk.

Some interesting tidbits from Dr. Taylor’s presentation:

• 90% of the overwintering monarchs in Mexico are hatched in the “cornbelt” area of the United States.  This includes ALL of Iowa – we are the “epicenter.  This means providing milkweeds for the monarchs is VERY critical in our state.
• Volunteers in Iowa tag more monarchs that in any other state – WAY TO GO IOWA!
• Interstate 35 from Texas to Minnesota is being considered for a monarch habitat corridor where milkweeds and pollinator plants will be planted in an area 50 miles east and west of the Interstate.  This includes ALL of Cerro Gordo County.

Visit www.monarchwatch.com to see all the great things Monarch Watch is doing.