MONROE - The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced a new conservation effort to help agricultural producers in Wisconsin provide food and habitat for monarch butterflies.
This targeted effort in Wisconsin by USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service will invest funds in 2016 to help combat the iconic species' decline in affected areas.
These once-common butterflies are growing less familiar, and private lands continue to play a crucial role in aiding the recovery of this species that serves as an indicator of ecosystem health. America's farmers, ranchers and forest landowners are stewards of the land; this effort helps them make voluntary improvements that benefit working lands and monarchs.
The orange-and-black butterflies are known for their annual, multigenerational migration from central Mexico to as far north as Canada. Monarch populations have decreased significantly over the past two decades, in part because of the decrease in native plants like milkweed - the sole source of food for monarch caterpillars.
NRCS will provide technical and financial assistance to help producers and conservation partners make butterfly-friendly improvements to farms and ranches. In Wisconsin, NRCS is focusing on integrating milkweed and high-nectar plants along field borders, in buffers along waterways or around wetlands, in pastures and other suitable locations.
Assistance is available to Wisconsin producers in Green County. Applications are due to the Green County USDA service center by June 10.
The Environmental Quality Incentives Program and remaining funds from the former Wetlands Reserve Program provide funding for this work. Additionally, NRCS is offering support for related enhancements through the Conservation Stewardship Program to establish monarch habitat. These enhancements are available nationwide.
These conservation improvements not only benefit butterflies; they also strengthen agricultural operations, support other beneficial insects and wildlife and improve other natural resources. Appropriate buffer habitats and better rangeland and pasture management practices reduce erosion, increase soil health, inhibit the expansion of invasive species and provide food and habitat for insects and wildlife.
For more on technical assistance and financial resources available through NRCS conservation programs, visit www.nrcs.usda.gov/GetStarted or the Green County Farm Service Center, 1627 4th Ave. West, Monroe.
This targeted effort in Wisconsin by USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service will invest funds in 2016 to help combat the iconic species' decline in affected areas.
These once-common butterflies are growing less familiar, and private lands continue to play a crucial role in aiding the recovery of this species that serves as an indicator of ecosystem health. America's farmers, ranchers and forest landowners are stewards of the land; this effort helps them make voluntary improvements that benefit working lands and monarchs.
The orange-and-black butterflies are known for their annual, multigenerational migration from central Mexico to as far north as Canada. Monarch populations have decreased significantly over the past two decades, in part because of the decrease in native plants like milkweed - the sole source of food for monarch caterpillars.
NRCS will provide technical and financial assistance to help producers and conservation partners make butterfly-friendly improvements to farms and ranches. In Wisconsin, NRCS is focusing on integrating milkweed and high-nectar plants along field borders, in buffers along waterways or around wetlands, in pastures and other suitable locations.
Assistance is available to Wisconsin producers in Green County. Applications are due to the Green County USDA service center by June 10.
The Environmental Quality Incentives Program and remaining funds from the former Wetlands Reserve Program provide funding for this work. Additionally, NRCS is offering support for related enhancements through the Conservation Stewardship Program to establish monarch habitat. These enhancements are available nationwide.
These conservation improvements not only benefit butterflies; they also strengthen agricultural operations, support other beneficial insects and wildlife and improve other natural resources. Appropriate buffer habitats and better rangeland and pasture management practices reduce erosion, increase soil health, inhibit the expansion of invasive species and provide food and habitat for insects and wildlife.
For more on technical assistance and financial resources available through NRCS conservation programs, visit www.nrcs.usda.gov/GetStarted or the Green County Farm Service Center, 1627 4th Ave. West, Monroe.