Male Hine’s emerald dragonfly. Photo by Glenn Corbiere of Chester, Massachusetts.

A study titled "Delineation of areas contributing groundwater to springs and wetlands supporting the Hine's Emerald Dragonfly, Door County, Wisconsin" was completed in May 2008 by Dr. Ken Bradbury from the Wisconsin Geological and Natural History Survey and his master's student, Mr. Mike Cobb. The study identifies the groundwater contribution (recharge) areas important to maintaining the wetland habitat occupied by the Hine's emerald dragonfly.  The dragonfly is both state- and federally listed as endangered. The larval stage of the dragonfly occurs only in streams, springs, and wetland habitats underlain by dolomite bedrock and fed by high-quality groundwater.  To protect the dragonfly, the groundwater must remain clean and abundant.  The groundwater contribution (recharge) areas identified in the study include all or portions of Hine's emerald dragonfly critical habitat units designated by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in 2007.  The information from the groundwater study, together with the designated critical habitat units, is being used by the USFWS and other agencies to help conserve the dragonfly in Door County.  Preserving the dragonfly in Door County is important as the county supports some of the best and most extensive habitats of the dragonfly within its four-state range.

To promote conservation of the Hine's emerald dragonfly and groundwater protection in Door County,  Dr. Ken Bradbury of the Wisconsin Geological and Natural History Survey and Ms. Cathy Carnes from the USFWS's Green Bay Ecological Service Field Office presented information on the study to the Door County Towns Association during their July 24, 2008, meeting in Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin.  A brochure summarizing the study, titled, "Groundwater and the Hine's emerald dragonfly in Door County," was distributed at the meeting.  The Association expressed support for groundwater protection in the county.  In addition, the USFWS provided copies of the groundwater report and brochures to the Door County Soil and Water Conservation, and Planning Departments.  The Door County Soil and Water Conservation Department has made the study and brochures available through their web site.  A copy of the study and brochure can also be found at the following USFWS website at: http://www.fws.gov/midwest/Endangered/insects/hed/index.html