Contact: Cassidy Walter
515-252-6249

JOHNSTON, IOWA – Today Big River Resources announced intentions to establish Monarch Fueling Stations at its two Iowa plants near West Burlington and Dyersville.

The West Burlington project will span roughly 1.8 acres and the Dyersville project will be approximately one acre. Seeding is expected to take place this fall.

“The Monarch Fueling Station Project is a no-brainer,” said Ryan Janson, environmental/technical compliance coordinator for Big River Resources. “It is very low cost, it will reduce the amount of mowing in the area, and it will provide such a positive impact on our environment. This project demonstrates Big River Resources’ commitment to our environment and community.”

Janson said Big River Resources may also consider establishing similar plots of monarch habitat at facilities outside of Iowa.

The location and size of the plots were decided in consultation with Kevin Reynolds, the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association’s (IRFA) Habitat Establishment Coordinator.

“Iowa’s biofuels plants are leading examples of how individuals and groups can use the resources available to them, no matter how big or small, to make a difference in the fight to boost the monarch butterfly population,” Reynolds said. “I applaud Big River’s efforts along with all the biofuels producers who have stepped up to help solve this important ecological challenge.”

The Monarch Fueling Station Project was established by IRFA in partnership with the Iowa Monarch Conservation Consortium in December 2017. It is a program to help Iowa’s ethanol and biodiesel plants establish patches of monarch habitat on plant grounds. To learn more about the IRFA Monarch Fueling Station Project, contact IRFA at info@IowaRFA.org or 515-252-6249.

Big River Resources Dyersville Monarch Fueling Station

 

Big River Resources West Burlington Monarch Fueling Station

 The Iowa Renewable Fuels Association represents the state’s liquid renewable fuels industry and works to foster its growth. Iowa is the nation’s leader in renewable fuels production with 43 ethanol refineries capable of producing nearly 4.4 billion gallons annually – including approximately 55 million gallons of annual cellulosic ethanol production capacity – and 12 biodiesel facilities with the capacity to produce 400 million gallons annually. For more information, visit the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association website at: www.IowaRFA.org.

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