Capabilities

The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) enrolled in a nationwide program to protect monarch butterfly habitat, but VDOT managers and practitioners needed more education on the program terminology, conservation measures, and compliance tracking requirements. We created training materials with clear visual infographics to illustrate program requirements and ensure compliance.

The Virginia Department of Transportation committed to implement conservation measures that benefit monarch butterfly habitat along interstate rights-of-way through the Monarch Candidate Conservation Agreement with Assurances (CCAA) Program. Meeting CCAA Program targets through monitoring and compliance tracking will guarantee VDOT regulatory protections if the monarch butterfly is listed under the Endangered Species Act. VDOT has nine districts across the Commonwealth and lacked a way to educate district managers, practitioners, and contractors on the conservation best practices and ensure statewide compliance. 

We reviewed Monarch CCAA Program requirements, VDOT conservation manuals, and existing training materials to develop a training slide deck and two one-page overview documents for different internal VDOT audiences. These materials featured simple infographics to explain complex program definitions and requirements, including conceptual diagrams, maps, and graphs. The training materials emphasize the benefits of participating in the Monarch CCAA, clearly outline the commitments, and explain the methods and timing of monarch conservation measures.