This species is found in fens dominated by narrow-leaved sedges (such as Carex stricta), often in areas with scattered tamarack and poison sumac. Loss of suitable fen habitat is the biggest threat to the Mitchell's satyr. Wetland alteration due to urban and agricultural development has eliminated habitat for this species. Loss of natural processes such as fires and flooding by beavers has increased the encroachment of surrounding forests. Also, invasion from exotic weeds and woody plants threaten the fens on which the butterflies depend.

Each year, the East Lansing Field Office hosts a meeting for key stakeholders and species experts to review the previous year's activities and exchange information relating to recovery. This year's Recovery Working Group meeting was held in East Lansing March 11. Twenty-nine people from Michigan and Indiana were in attendance, representing state and federal agencies, non-government organizations, zoos and universities. Recent research was presented as well as proposals for future projects. Land managers were able to get the group's input on prioritizing the upcoming field season's activities and ways to minimize impacts during management. Biologists from Michigan's Landowner Incentive Program were present to discuss potential funding for Mitchell's satyr landowners who want to conduct stewardship on their lands. The agenda included two break-out sessions in the afternoon where the group split up to begin work on draft management guidelines and a reintroduction protocol.

?A few highlights from the meeting:

? Barb Barton, a graduate student at Eastern Michigan University, presented the results of her research. In 2003, she conducted a mark-release-recapture study at Grand River Fen in south-central Michigan. More than 500 butterflies were marked during her study, representing the largest known population of the species. Her work compliments previous studies conducted on the species and adds to our understanding of the satyr's biology and habitat requirements.

? Peter Tolson of the Toledo Zoo discussed the zoo's progress with rearing northern eyed-browns (Satyrodes eurydice). They are using the eyed-brown as a surrogate for Mitchell's satyr in order to develop a model for captive rearing. Toledo Zoo has been actively involved in captive propagation of another federally-listed butterfly that occurs in Region 3?the Karner blue.

? John Shuey of the Indiana Chapter of The Nature Conservancy discussed draft results of a recent study examining the genetic differences within the Neonympha mitchellii complex. St. Francis? satyr (N. m. francisci) occurs in North Carolina and was listed as endangered in 1994. Recently, several new populations of N. mitchellii have been discovered in Alabama, Mississippi, and Virginia, but their taxonomic status (i.e., whether they belong to N. m. mitchellii, N. m. francisci, or are a new species) is not certain. The preliminary results of the genetics work were presented.

For more information about Mitchell's satyr recovery, please contact Carrie Tansy at the East Lansing Ecological Services Field Office.