Forestry & Natural Resources

Alumna Featured in Emmy-Winning Prairie Sportsman Episode

Story by Wendy Mayer
November 20, 2019

Megan Benage holding an emmy Megan Benage has accumulated many titles in her career, beginning with a bachelor’s degree in wildlife science at Purdue in 2005 and a master’s degree in restoration ecology in 2007. Benage, now a regional ecologist for the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources division of ecological and water resources, gained a new title on Oct. 5, Emmy winner.

Benage was honored for her participation on the PBS show Prairie Sportsman, which won an Upper Midwest Regional Emmy from The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences for an episode entitled “Pollinator Friendly Solar.”

The idea of pollinator friendly solar was hatched by Benage and her coworker Kevin Mixon a few years ago. The pair worked with the Department of Commerce and Board of Water and Soil Resources to write guidelines and make pollinator friendly solar part of the permit process for commercial solar projects. Benage and Mixon’s work has developed into industry collaborations with native seed companies, bee farms, breweries and restaurants thanks to the work of Fresh Energy and other key partners.

The Pollinator Friendly Solar episode, which features the 1,200-acre North Star Solar Array, was honored in the Emmy’s Business/Consumer Feature Segment category. Instead of being planted with traditional turf grass, the array was planted with native grasses and wildflowers in the perimeter, which creates habitat for bees and other wildlife.

In addition to Benage’s involvement in the episode, the cast and crew also included producer Cindy Dorn, editors/videographers Dyland Curfman and Max Grabow, assistant producer Bret Amundson and voice artist Lisa Cownie among others.

Those interested in learning more about the science surrounding prairie conservation, restoration/reconstruction, and management can listen to Benage's podcasts found here: Prairie Pod.

Featured Stories

International Research Academy prepares faculty for global research engagement

The International Research Academy, a program led by Purdue’s Office of International...

Two men in a greenhouse, each holding a plant, surrounded by vibrant greenery.

Newly discovered soybean biomechanism could increase crop yields

Scientists have discovered an evolutionary innovation in soybean plants that might improve crop...

Artur Rocha stands in front of Creighton Hall.

Improving the future of sheep genetics

Learn how graduate student Artur Rocha is using genetics and genomics research to improve...

Graphic with two gold diagonal squares and headshots of the three student honorees, Amy Wigand, Lana Malek and Quintin Lowe.

Purdue Agriculture athletes named Academic All-Big Ten honorees

Three Purdue Agriculture student athletes — Ally Wigand, Lana Malek and Quintin...

Behind the Research: Jackie Getson

Jackie Getson, project manager for Purdue’s Institute for Digital Forestry, has built a...

Bob Taylor holds up soybean pods in a field

A lifetime of breeding better soybeans

Bob Taylor, expert soybean breeder, is sharing his germplasm collection with Purdue University.