Monday, March 11
Creating Landscapes for People and Pollinators
LES Building Atrium
Doors open at 3:15 p.m.
Conversation from 3:45 – 4:45 p.m.

From the beloved monarch to the rusty-patched bumblebee, the plight of pollinators has become well known to the public. In August 2016, Minnesota Governor Mark Dayton signed an executive order creating a state-wide team dedicated to restoring healthy pollinator levels in the state. And at the national level, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is currently considering listing the monarch butterfly as an endangered species.

What could actions like this mean for farmers who find milkweed – a host plant of the monarch – in their croplands? How do we create landscapes that are compatible for people and pollinators?  

Join a panel of Minnesota-based experts for conversation about addressing species conservation in working lands; incorporating pollinator conservation goals in farming and along roadsides; and the tradeoffs we face in trying to use land for people’s livelihoods and species conservation at the same time.

The conversation will feature Alison Cariveau, science coordinator of the Monarch Joint Venture, Dan Cariveau, assistant professor at the University of Minnesota’s Bee Research Facility, Christopher Smith of the Minnesota Department of Transportation, and Minnesota State Representative Jean Wagenius. Our moderator is Eric Lonsdorf, program director of IonE’s Natural Capital Project and leader of its Impact Goal focused on sustainable land use.

This event is free and open to the public — don’t forget to RSVP!