New partnership advances pollinator research and outreach
The university's Conservation Management Institute joins Monarch Joint Venture to advance monarch and pollinator conservation through research, outreach, and collaborative land management strategies.
Monarch butterflies offer more to Virginia than their natural beauty. They are environmentally beneficial, pollinate plants, and serve as a food source for a variety of wildlife.
The Monarch Joint Venture has named Virginia Tech’s Conservation Management Institute as its newest partner, strengthening efforts to conserve monarch butterflies and other pollinators across North America.
The Monarch Joint Venture is a national nonprofit that uses science-driven strategies to protect monarch butterflies and other pollinators.
The Conservation Management Institute, housed within the Department of Fish and Wildlife Conservation in the College of Natural Resources and Environment, brings decades of expertise in research and engagement to the partnership. Both groups thrive on collaboration, working alongside state and federal agencies, private conservation areas, and military installations to develop science-based solutions for natural resource management.
“Long-term conservation and resilience require knowledge, management, and awareness by decision-makers,” said Verl Emrick, a research scientist with the institute. “Our role is to equip those decision-makers with the tools and information they need to make effective choices.”
The partnership will focus on a mix of activities, including joint proposals and projects, technical assistance, and education and outreach. The Conservation Management Institute's strong research foundation complements the venture’s emphasis on outreach, creating opportunities to share best practices and expand conservation impact.
The institute often partners with landowners to provide management recommendations. Through this collaboration, practices recommended by the Monarch Joint Venture can be integrated into land management plans, ensuring that conservation strategies reach the ground level. Most of the Conservation Management Institute’s projects take place the eastern United States, where it can offer valuable data and connections to support monarch and pollinator conservation.
Over the past six years, the institute has completed approximately 15 projects in Virginia and Maryland that included monarch surveys. This experience positions the institute to offer meaningful insights that advance the partnership’s goals. Additionally, the institute hosts frequent educational and outreach events for students and the public, promoting awareness of conservation issues and inspiring future leaders in natural resource management.
