Green Plains has announced monarch butterfly habitats will be established at its Shenandoah and Superior, Iowa biofuel facilities. The projects are part of the Monarch Fueling Station Project by Iowa Renewable Fuels Association and the Iowa Monarch Conservation Consortium to create patches of native grasses and other pollinator-friendly plants for the monarchs as they migrate through the state. The initiative …
IRFA Celebrates Monarch Habitat for Pollinator Week
Members of the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association (IRFA) are celebrating Pollinator Week this year by highlighting the progress of their Monarch Fueling Stations. Pollinator Week is recognized internationally as a time to celebrate and educate about the important role pollinators play around the world. Since 2017 IRFA members have been planting Monarch Fueling Stations, and to date over 48 acres …
Iowa Biofuel Plants Seed to Fuel Monarchs
Absolute Energy ethanol plant and Western Dubuque Biodiesel both recently completed a seeding of Monarch Fueling Stations on their property to provide crucial habitat for monarch butterflies. The seed mixture included native grasses and other plants that attract pollinators but had a special emphasis on milkweed plants. Milkweed is the only plant monarchs can lay their eggs on. Both Absolute …
Demo Site Picked for Ethanol Industry Pollinator Program
The ethanol industry is celebrating Earth Day with the announcement that Trenton Agri Products (TAP) in Nebraska will become the first demonstration site for a new ethanol industry initiative to expand pollinator habitat in key production regions. TAP will establish a 5-acre pollinator plot this spring near the entrance to their facility to increase awareness and encourage local farmers to …
REG in Newton Seeds Monarch Fueling Station
The Renewable Energy Group (REG) biodiesel plant near Newton, Iowa is growing a monarch fueling station. Local Pheasants Forever representatives recently conducted a seeding of native grasses, milkweed, and other plants that attract pollinators. The mixture has a special emphasis on milkweed plants, the only plant monarchs can lay their eggs on. Iowa Renewable Fuels Association (IRFA) Habitat Establishment Coordinator …
Quad County to Establish Monarch Fueling Station
Quad County Corn Processors is the latest Iowa biofuels plant to start working with Iowa Renewable Fuels Association to establish a Monarch Fueling Station. The monarch habitat will span roughly one acre. Today the land is used as a small corn field, but the plant will begin converting it to habitat after harvest with a mid-November seeding. “We see the …
Western Dubuque Biodiesel Adding Monarch Fueling Station
Western Dubuque Biodiesel is establishing a Monarch Fueling Station at its plant near Farley. The plant will start the process by spraying to eradicate non-native grasses this summer and again this fall. A dormant seeding of native plants and milkweed will occur this November. “Part of our mission at Western Dubuque Biodiesel is to create fuel that is environmentally friendly,” …