North Dakota

North Dakota Outdoors: Who doesn’t love having monarch butterflies?

Published

11 months ago

May 9, 2025

North Dakota Outdoors: Who doesn’t love having monarch butterflies?

Submitted Photo
Future of monarch butterfly hanging in balance. Photo from NDGF.

Revering walleye, pheasants, or bucks is about as Midwestern as loving summertime baseball, hot dogs and mom. In an honest conversation you’ll hear an underscoring appreciation for pike, meadowlarks and monarchs. Who doesn’t love the fight of a northern, the sound a meadowlark makes perched on a fence post? When a monarch is found in the garden many will find it a perfect time to take a moment’s break, wipe the sweat off the brow and appreciate the beauty of these summer staples.

But as has been documented, the future of the monarch is hanging in the balance.

Endangered Species Act listing proposal

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service reopened the public comment period for a proposed rule to list the monarch butterfly as a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act. The proposed rule includes species-specific protections and flexibilities to encourage conservation of the butterfly under section 4(d) of the ESA. The comment period is reopened until May 19, to give all interested parties an additional opportunity to comment on the proposed rule, which was published on Dec. 12, 2024. Comments that were previously submitted do not need to be resubmitted as they are already incorporated into the public record and will be fully considered in the final listing determination.

Public comments are an integral part of the ESA listing determination process, and the USFWS recognizes the complexity of the information requested for public comment in the proposed rule. By reopening the public comment period, the agency is ensuring everyone has a chance to share information relevant to the conservation status of the species, including the associated 4(d) rule and proposed critical habitat designation.

The reopening of the public comment period for the monarch butterfly will publish in the Federal Register Reading Room. Information about how to submit comments can be found on regulations.gov by searching for docket number FWS-R3-ES-2024-0137.

Everyone can play a role in saving the monarch butterfly. Because of the species’ general habitat use and wide distribution, all sectors of society have an opportunity to participate in a broad range of conservation efforts throughout the butterfly’s range.

More about

monarch in ND

Monarchs are typically found in areas with a high number of nectar sources. While domestic plants are used, native flowers are preferred. Monarchs in the caterpillar stage rely exclusively on milkweed so areas with a high density of milkweed will contain both caterpillars and adult monarchs.

Key areas, conditions for monarch in ND

Monarchs are found throughout North Dakota. Areas with a higher density of native prairies would be more likely to support monarchs.

Problems which may affect species

The loss of habitats that contain milkweed is the primary cause for this species’ decline. Loss of habitat with high quality nectar sources for adults, such as native prairies, is also a concern. Connectivity between usable habitats is a concern.

Other natural or manmade factors

The use of herbicide for weed control at certain times of the year in native prairie tracts may be a detriment by reducing nectar sources for the butterfly. Insecticide use near populations may also be a factor.

Previous research

or surveys

The University of Minnesota has done feeding studies of the monarch. Iowa St. University has looked at the effects of herbicide use on monarchs. Royer surveyed butterflies at a number of sites in North Dakota.

Management recommendations

– Develop pollinator habitat.

– Protect and manage high quality native prairie.

– Develop connectivity between quality habitat.

– Delay haying of habitat until after end of adult flight.

– Plant milkweed and native nectar plants to improve habitat.

– Avoid broadcast spraying of pesticides and herbicides at known sites to minimize loss of adults and nectar sources.

You can learn more about the monarch butterfly, the monarch listing proposal, and how to help conserve monarch butterflies at fws.gov/monarch.

Source link

Related Topics:Featured North Dakota Outdoors: Who doesn’t love having monarch butterflies?outdoors

Click to comment

North Dakota

2026 NFL Draft Profile: North Dakota State wide receiver Bryce Lance

Published

11 hours ago

April 17, 2026

Press Room

The Denver Broncos made their big splash this offseason trading for wide receiver Jaylen Waddle to bolster their offense. The position is now five deep at the position with Waddle, Courtland Sutton, Marvin Mims Jr., Troy Franklin, and Pat Bryant.

The receiving corps has a lot of talent, but also a lot of questions. Sutton isn’t getting any younger and has a significant cap hit in 2027. Additionally, it’s the last year of Mims’ rookie contract. In my opinion, the Broncos don’t have a long-term replacement in the mix for Sutton at the X position, which could be an area they seek to address in the 2026 NFL Draft.

The Broncos utilizing their second-round selection on a wide receiver is very unlikely. However, a player I believe they will carry a relatively high grade on his North Dakota State standout Bryce Lance. Lance broke out in 2024 during the Bison’s last FCS title with 75 receptions for 1,053 yards and 17 touchdowns catching passes from Cam Miller. This past year, he had 51 receptions, 1,070 receiving yards, and 8 touchdowns with projected Day 2 pick Cole Payton throwing him the ball.

He checks a lot of the boxes Head Coach Sean Payton covets at the position. Not only that, but I also believe he has the ability to be an explosive X receiver at the next level. Let’s do a deep dive regarding his strengths and weaknesses, and why and when the Broncos should consider selection him in this year’s draft.

Player Profile: Bryce Lance — Wide Receiver — North Dakota State

Height: 6’3” | Weight: 204 pounds | Arm Length: 32-1/8” | Hand Size: 9-1/4” | Age: 23 Years Old

40-Yard Dash: 4.34 seconds | 10-Yard Split: 1.49 seconds | 3-Cone Drill: 7 seconds

Vertical: 41.5” | Broad Jump: 11’1” | 20-Yard Shuttle: 4.15 seconds

Statistics: 57 games played, 26 starts, 127 receptions with 2,157 receiving yards. 25 receiving touchdowns, as well as 121 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns.

Film Room & Highlights

Hart’s Scouting Report

Positives:

Good size and frame to handle being an X receiver on the outside in the NFL
Elite athlete who has top-tier speed and vertical playmaking ability
One of the most productive wide receivers in college football the past two seasons with a penchant for touchdowns and big-time plays that move the chains
Incredible ball tracker down the field with a knack for coming down with highlight reel catches in the endzone, much like Sutton
Amongst the best in this class most with respect to efficiency on outs, posts, corners, screens, and nine routes
Top-notch hops and strong hands who routinely comes down with contested catches
Ample special teams experience serving primarily in that fashion for the Bison in 2022 and 2023 after his redshirt season

Negatives:

Despite tremendous downfield speed, he doesn’t sport much short area quickness
Will likely need to add some strength and weight to handle the rigors of the next level
Route refining and release at the line of scrimmage will need some work to take on NFL caliber talent
Doesn’t have a lot of drops, but would like to see better catching technique, too often body catching instead of extending out and plucking from the air

Hart’s Projection: Top 75 Selection — Late Second Round, Early Third Round Value

Source link

North Dakota

North Dakota boasts most wildlife refuges in the US

Published

23 hours ago

April 16, 2026

Press Room

North Dakota boasts most wildlife refuges in the US

BISMARCK, N.D. (KFYR) – Did you know that North Dakota has 63 wildlife refuges? That is more than any other state! These refuges are places where the land and water are protected to preserve the homes of animals dependent on the land.

North Dakota’s refuges are home to many animals, including moose, badgers, coyotes and more than 250 kinds of birds.

You can visit many of North Dakota’s wildlife refuges, including Audubon National Wildlife Refuge in McLean County, Lake Zahl National Wildlife Refuge in Williams County and Slade National Wildlife Refuge in Burleigh County.

Activities can range from fishing and hunting to enjoying hiking trails and photography.

Source link

North Dakota

Wisconsin basketball wing announces transfer portal destination

Published

1 day ago

April 16, 2026

Press Room

Wisconsin basketball wing announces transfer portal destination

Former Wisconsin Badgers men’s basketball wing Jack Robison announced he’d be transferring to North Dakota State University.

The Bison landed the 6-foot-6 forward who still has two years of eligibility remaining.

The 2026 Summit League Champions finished the 2025-26 season 27-8 overall as they suffered a 92-67 defeat in the NCAA Tournament to No. 3 Michigan State.

With only two seniors on their roster a year ago, NDSU is looking to pick up right where they left off. Robison didn’t have a ton of playing time in his two-year career with the Badgers, but his 30 appearances helped him get his feet wet.

Robison averaged 1.8 minutes per game in 2025-26, which was up from the 1.2 he averaged as a freshman. Not only were his minutes up, but he appeared in four more games as he was beginning to catch Greg Gard’s attention.

The Badgers have a ton of turnover heading into 2026-27, but Robison was the first to announce where he’d be heading. Wisconsin still awaits John Blackwell’s decision to see if he’s staying in the Big Ten or not, but Badgers fans at least know where they can follow Robison’s career for potentially his final two collegiate seasons.

Contact/Follow @TheBadgersWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Wisconsin Badgers news, notes and opinion.

Source link