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Monarch Research is working with area organizations and landowners to help restore native Iowa trees lost during the derecho of 2020. Join us – we have a lot of work to do!

Learn more at Habitat and Trees/Planting Forward.
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Please plan visits to the Monarch Research Station in advance. To make an appointment, contact us via email at info@monarchresearch.org.  For other questions/inquiries, please send us a note and one of the members of our team will respond promptly:  Click Here to Contact Us

Planting Forward Resources


Our Vision

The Vision of Monarch Research is a vibrant, thriving pollinator habitat throughout Linn County with a sustainable growing monarch population.

Our Mission

Monarch Research is a catalyst for action among public private partnerships and local landowners focusing efforts on a controlled community of interest (Linn County). The “lessons learned” create a playbook on how communities across America can create living landscapes sufficient enough to flatten the steep downward trend in the insect population (bees, butterflies, Pollinators) and associated species.

Restore Native Habitat

Partnering with ISU researchers, MRP’s Pollinator Zones™ are committed to expand native habitat for pollinators on public and private lands in Linn County, Iowa. Learn more.

Save the Monarchs

Our objective is to develop Monarch Zones® (MZ)—homes, cities, and counties that are committed to our goal of repopulating the butterfly population. We have established close to 200 Monarch Zones in and around Linn County, Iowa. Learn more.

Starting Locally, then Expanding

The MRP is working with the eastern Iowa governments and citizens to establish monarch and habitat models that can be replicated in other communities. Learn more.

Recent News

Linn County Conservation
1000 Acres Pollinator Initiative Receives ISAC’s Excellence in Action Award
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The following post is shared from the Linn County News feed posted…

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Rearing Monarch Butterflies Naturally in a Protected Environment
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Update of a Monarch 6×6 BioTent on a naturally growing plot of…

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Monarchs in BioTent
Rearing on Autonomous Plots at MRS
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Guest post by Jabe Gonder, MRS Summer Research Intern. 6×6 milkweed plot…

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Orlan Love Prairie Dedication
Orlan Love Prairie Dedicated
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Orlan Love in the Orlan Love Prairie, Squaw Creek State Park. On…

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