In Thursday's meeting of the Minnesota House Environment and Natural Resources Finance Division, the Minnesota Zoo made made an appearance to let the committee members know about its educational and conservation work.
As always, the zoo animals brought before the committee--in this case a porcupine, a bullsnake and a chinchilla--were the stars for the media. But after the charismatic critters left the stage, the Zoo's lepidopterist and conservation biologist Erik Runquist testified about the organization's work to save butterflies and other pollinators.
We post video of the testimony below. It made us eager to pay more attention to the tiny prairie butterflies that do still live up here on the prairie grasslands of the Coteau.
Committee Chair Rick Hansen tweeted live:
“We have jewels in our backyard that we need to take account of and take care of” @ErikRunquist speaks truth about pollinator Protection in Minnesota 🌼🌻🌾🐛🐜🐝#mnleg #pollinators pic.twitter.com/LFg8Etm5DV
— Rep. Rick Hansen (@reprickhansen) January 17, 2019
Here's Dr. Runquist's testimony about the Zoo's work to save prairie butterflies and other native pollinators.
To keep learning about Dr. Runquist's research at the Zoo, follow him on Twitter via @ErikRunquist.
Photo: First Dakota skipper male reared at the Minnesota Zoo. Photo courtesy of Erik Runquist/Minnesota Zoo, via US Fish and Wildlife Endangered Species page for the butterfly.
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