Mulching equipment was used to remove trees and brush that were encroaching on Karner blue butterfly habitat.

The Dane County Conservation League owns several large tracts of land in the Central Wisconsin Grasslands Conservation Area in Portage County.  These properties are managed in cooperation with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources for benefit of the greater prairie chicken and other grassland birds.  However, located on one of these properties is an area of habitat occupied by the federally listed Karner blue butterfly.  Due to encroachment by brush and trees, the site was in jeopardy of being lost.  Working in cooperation with the Dane County Conservation League and Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Green Bay Field Office undertook a project to remove undesirable trees and brush from a 15 acre area surrounding the five acres of Karner blue butterfly habitat.  Work was performed during the winter when the ground was frozen to minimize any potential harm to the Karner blue or its habitat.  The tree and brush removal will enhance and expand habitat for the Karner blue butterfly by promoting the spread of wild lupine and nectar plants utilized by the butterfly.  In addition to the Karner blue butterfly, the project will provide valuable habitat for migratory grassland birds and many other wildlife species.  Funding for thePproject was provided through the Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program.