Natural Awakenings Twin Cities June 2023

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New Research Suggests
Connection Between Biofuels
and Endangered Wildlife
Corn ethanol production may be harming the habitats of endangered
species, first-of-its-kind research shows, but there are
readily available solutions. New research from the Nelson Institute
for Environmental Studies investigated the connections between
biofuels and threatened and endangered species across the U.S. The
work, published in the March issue of the peer-reviewed journal Biological
Conservation, is the first scientific assessment to establish the
connection between the Renewable Fuel Standard, the subsequent
widespread conversion of land to biofuel crops, and the adverse
impacts to critical habitat of threatened and endangered species.
Created in 2007, the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) requires
that all U.S.-sold transportation fuel include a minimum volume of
renewable fuels. Thus far, those fuels have come largely from cornbased
ethanol whose production can consume land otherwise used
for conservation, impair water quality and even increase greenhouse
gas emissions.
Tyler Lark, lead scientist in the Global Land Use and Environment
Lab, compared cropland extensification to the critical habitats
and extended ranges of animals protected by the Endangered
Species Act, including whooping cranes, Poweshiek skipperlings
and black-footed ferrets. The findings suggest a strong likelihood
for interaction between protected species and the RFS—in other
words, the federal mandate for corn ethanol production may be
jeopardizing imperiled wildlife.
“It’s not surprising that vulnerable wildlife are at risk, given
what we know about the impacts of corn ethanol production,”
Lark says of the new study, which follows his recent contributions
to a multiyear, comprehensive assessment of the environmental
outcomes of corn ethanol. “What’s more shocking is that we’re 15
years into our current biofuels policy and there’s been little to no
research on these interactions.”
In the new analysis, Lark suggests simple, readily available methods
to mitigate these interactions. For starters, there should be deeper
collaboration between the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and
federal wildlife agencies when implementing renewable fuel policy.
Other actionable steps include shifting biofuel dependence from corn
to native and perennial plants and incorporating the use of cover crops
and other conservation practices into existing bioenergy croplands.
“Fortunately, all the tools and practices that we need to mitigate
these negative effects and improve wildlife habitat already
exist. We just need to act,” Lark says.
For more information, visit Nelson.WISC.edu.
Treetop Trail to Take
Minnesota Zoo to New Heights
Guests at the Minnesota
Zoo will
be able to reach new
heights when Treetop
Trail, the world’s
longest elevated pedestrian
loop, holds
its grand opening on
July 28. The 1.25-
mile Treetop Trail
will bring guests up to 32 feet above the ground and provide
them with an immersive and accessible naturistic journey.
The opening date of the zoo’s new pathway to nature appropriately
coincides with World Nature Conservation Day. As a worldwide
leader in wildlife conservation, the Minnesota Zoo created the Treetop
Trail to give guests year-round access to hundreds of acres of hardwood
forest, ponds and marshes, and the diverse wildlife that call
Minnesota home. Treetop Trail will provide new perspectives on many
zoo animals, including tigers, moose and bison, as well as a bird’s-eyeview
for bird watchers during each of Minnesota’s four seasons.
The Minnesota Zoo opened 45 years ago in 1978 with a
mission to connect people, animals and the natural world to save
wildlife. The Treetop Trail will reinforce the zoo’s reputation as
a trusted nature destination and is an evolution of the role that
zoos play around the globe.
“The Treetop Trail marks a new chapter for the Minnesota
Zoo,” shares Minnesota Zoo Director and Foundation President
John Frawley. “As we look ahead to the zoo’s next 45 years, the
Treetop Trail is a major step in furthering connections to nature
and animals in an accessible and immersive way.”
Integrating into the Zoo’s original monorail track which was
retired in 2013, the Treetop Trail is the ultimate reuse construction
project. The zoo contracted with award-winning Snow Kreilich
Architects; engineering firm Buro Happold (known for its work on
the High Line in New York City); and construction partner PCL.
Together, they have been committed to minimizing disruptions to
the zoo’s animals and guests before, during and after construction.
The entrance to the Treetop Trail will feature the zoo’s new
animal ambassador habitat where guests will be greeted by
several species native to Minnesota, including the Treetop Trail
ambassador—a North American porcupine named Quillber.
Planning for the Minnesota Zoo Treetop Trail began in June
2018 and a ceremonial groundbreaking was held in April 2022.
“Thanks to the full support from our boards, legislative and government
champions, as well as the philanthropic community, we have
secured $39 million in public and private partnership to support this
transformational project,” states Frawley.
The Minnesota Zoo expresses profound gratitude to the following
for their support of the Treetop Trail: State of Minnesota,
K.A.H.R. Foundation, Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community,
Target, Best Buy Foundation, Hubbard Broadcasting Foundation,
and hundreds of individual donors.
Location: 13000 Zoo Blvd., Apple Valley. For more information,
visit MNZoo.org/TreeTopTrail.
Courtesy of the MN Zoo
June 2023
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