The Iowa Learning Farms (ILF) conservation webinar taking place Dec. 10, at noon CST will feature Matt Stephenson, research data manager, Iowa State University. Stephenson’s research focuses on the habitat quality of prairie strips and other on-farm habitat for breeding birds, mammals, reptiles and insects. He serves as the research data manager at Iowa State University’s Bioeconomy Institute helping researchers manage datasets related to sustainable agriculture and the bioeconomy.

In the webinar, “Prairie Strips Support Migrating Monarchs and Breeding Birds,” Stephenson will share the results of studies comparing Monarch butterfly and grassland songbird habitat quality between prairie strips and lower diversity grass conversation practices on private farms. Drawing on engagements with farmers and landowners, he will discuss habitat creation goals and share habitat observations gathered from different high- and low-diversity plantings. Stephenson will also provide insights on siting of prairie strips and discuss concerns about the efficacy for habitat when surrounded by otherwise inhospitable plantings—or whether such small plantings could become ecological traps that lure wildlife from more appropriate habitats.

“We noted that prairie strips had more flowers, flowering species, and adult monarchs than low diversity practices but more work is needed to determine their quality as breeding habitat,” said Stephenson. “Fields with prairie strips had more grassland songbirds than fields without and prairie strips provided better breeding habitat than low diversity practices. I hope that participants in this webinar will gain a better understanding of different approaches to conservation that increase habitat and support a broad range of birds and butterflies.”

Participants are encouraged to ask questions of the presenters. People from all backgrounds and areas of interest are encouraged to join.