Monarch butterflies rely on roadside corridors for essential nectar sources and milkweed. TRB hosted a webinar on Wednesday, June 3, 2020 from 1:00 to 2:30 PM Eastern that discussed how transportation managers may enhance roadside areas for monarchs and other pollinators. This webinar will identify the current state of knowledge about monarchs’ use of roadside rights-of-ways and associated risks. Presenters described two tools roadside managers can use to assess monarch habitats. These tools include a Landscape Prioritization Model to identify roadsides with the greatest potential for monarch conservation, and a Roadside Monarch Habitat Evaluator, which takes data from a rapid assessment protocol that automatically calculates monarch habitat quality. The presenters also shared management support materials and present case studies regarding the success of programs in transportation departments with pollinator habitat programs.

This webinar draws on research from the National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP) Research Report 942: Evaluating the Suitability of Roadway Corridors for Use by Monarch Butterflies.

The slides are available as are the presentation recording.

Webinar agenda and presenters

1. Background on monarch butterflies: Laura Lukens, Monarch Joint Venture
   • Their range, their decline, threats they face
2. Habitat conservation and the role that the transportation sector plays: Laura Lukens, Monarch Joint Venture
3. Landscape Prioritization Model: Chris Nootenboom, University of Minnesota
4. Roadside Monarch Habitat Evaluator: Karen Tuerk, Monarch Joint Venture
5. Current management practices: Jennifer Hopwood, Xerces
6. Minnesota case study: Emilie Snell-Rood, University of Minnesota
7. Question and answer session: Moderated by Karen Tuerk, Monarch Joint Venture

The first 60 minutes of the webinar will be for presentations and the final 30 minutes will be reserved for audience questions.

Learning Objectives
At the end of this webinar, you will able to:

1. Explain how roadside management practices may enhance habitat and breeding conditions for monarchs and other pollinators
2. Build a Landscape Prioritization Model and assemble the Roadside Monarch Habitat Evaluator to assess habitat quality in their roadway corridors
3. Discuss case studies of transportation departments’ practices that support monarch and pollinator conservation

Professional Development Hour Information

TRB reported credits earned to the Registered Continuing Education Program (RCEP). Complaints about registered providers may be sent to RCEP, 1015 15th Street, NW, 8th Floor, Washington, D.C., 20005.