Iowa Learning Farms will host a monarch butterfly conservation field day Thursday, September 7th from 10 a.m. to noon.

The field day will be held at the Logan Abandoned Mine Land (AML) Site near Bussey and is free and open to the public. The field day will also include a free complimentary meal. The day will begin with an introduction from Jim Gillespie, Director of Soil Conservation and Water Quality. Logan AML Project Coordinator, Randy Cooney, will discuss the reclamation process, the AML program and how monarch habitat can be easily incorporated. Seth Appelgate, ISU Monarch Workgroup, will share details about current research projects and opportunities to establish monarch habitat. As pollinators, monarch butterflies are important to Iowa agriculture, landowners and citizens but over the past 20 years the monarch population has decreased by more than 80 percent. Reservations are suggested for the event to ensure adequate space and food For more information contact Liz Juchems at 515-294-5429 or email ilf@iastate.edu.