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…

Want to watch wildlife from your window? Plant a pollinator garden! Whether you have a few feet on your apartment balcony, a yard in need of landscaping or several acres, you can make a difference by creating healthy pollinator habitat. 📷 Courtney Celley/USFWS #PollinatorWeek

This #FlowerFriday we celebrate Culver’s Root! With its distinct whorled leaves and white flowers, this plant is great for attracting bumble bees, monarchs, and many other pollinators. prairiemoon.com/veronicastrum-…

IT'S HAPPENING! There's nothing quite like seeing your native plants thriving and supporting local pollinators. The closer you look, the more you find. We initially found 6 monarch caterpillars on this milkweed plant, but looking at the photo we see 7! 📷 Courtney Celley/USFWS

Come learn the dos and don'ts of cover crop application and seeding rates from Dan Miller in Harlan, Iowa, from 5 to 8 p.m. on July 31. Attendees will also view and learn about the seeding equipment Dan and his pilot contractors use. ​RSVP now: bit.ly/4kQgiYP

Graduate Researcher: Adam is a new master’s student at ISU studying remnant and reconstructed prairies. His love for the outdoors and conserving native habitats helped form his appreciation for flowering plants and their associated pollinators. monarch.ent.iastate.edu/news/2025/grad…

Native plants that have flowers with large heads can be a great way to attract butterflies! Plants like this purple coneflower provide a large landing pad and a great place to stop, eat and rest. 📷 Jim Hudgins/USFWS #PollinatorWeek

Join us at Lime Creek Nature Center in Mason City to meet the Cerro Gordo County Roadside manager and learn all about the native plantings and roadside reclamation projects in the area! Wednesday, July 23 at 5:30pm. More info and RSVP at treesforever.org/event/stewards…

It’s #NationalMothWeek! Moths are beautiful, yet underrated, pollinators. Scientists are just beginning to understand their important contribution towards pollination. Support moths in your area by reducing light pollution and planting pollinator gardens: xerces.org/blog/the-night…

Happy #NationalIceCreamDay! If you love ice cream, thank a pollinator! We rely on pollinators for cherries, vanilla, coconuts, chocolate, sugar, and even the hay that feeds dairy cows. Learn more about pollinators’ role in ice cream here: kqed.org/science/194699…

PFI’s Habitat Incentives Program is here to help you achieve your goals by providing technical and financial support for conservation practices. Submit an interest form to get started today: bit.ly/4kn90LX

Ready to get started? Learn how to build a pollinator garden: fws.gov/story/how-buil…

IMCC blog: This summer, consider adding entomotourism to your travel plans! These activities celebrate insects and can support both conservation efforts and local communities. monarch.ent.iastate.edu/news/2025/summ…

Kickstart your project by using our list of top plants for your pollinator garden: fws.gov/story/top-plan…

Summer is a great time to get involved in your community and help support monarch conservation through community science! To learn about various community science opportunities in your area, visit: mjv.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/documents/Whic…

🚀La iniciativa #BlitzMonarca regresa este verano del 25 jul al 3 ago. ¡Encuentra mariposas monarca, plantas de algodoncillo, huevos, orugas y crisálidas! ¡Sal al aire libre y recopila observaciones en pro de la conservación de la #Monarca! 👉cec.org/es/medios/comu…

🚀 The #MonarchBlitz is back this summer from 25 July–3 August! 🌞 Find monarch butterflies & examine milkweed plants for monarch eggs, caterpillars & chrysalises! 🌱🥚🐛 Go outdoors & collect observations to support #monarch butterfly conservation! 👉cec.org/media/support-…

Are you passionate about working with vegetable, fruit and other specialty crop farmers? Are you eager to support farmer-to-farmer learning on the ground and serve as a team leader within a dynamic organization? Apply today: recruiting.paylocity.com/recruiting/job…

Happy #FlowerFriday! One of the best plants for attracting pollinators is Wild Bergamot. With its beautiful purple flowers, this plant is a magnet for bumble bees, butterflies, and many other species of native pollinators! prairiemoon.com/monarda-fistul…

A recent study found an innovative way to assess monarch caterpillar predation. Using artificial caterpillars, researchers could determine what predators were most prevalent as well as peak predation times. nature.com/articles/s4159…

Monarch sightings!! Yesterday we found 2 monarch caterpillars and 4 eggs while we were searching milkweed on the ISU campus! If you find any monarchs, make sure to submit your findings to @journeynorthorg: journeynorth.org/monarchs