Volunteers Participating in the Karner Blue Butterfly Recovery Program Make a Difference

National Forest enlists help of volunteers to assess the population abundance and habitat quality of an endangered butterfly.

The Karner blue butterfly is a federally endangered species that has declined on the Huron-Manistee National Forests over the past century. This was due to the oak/pine savannas/barrens habitats on which it depends being replaced by mature forests by extensive reforestation, fire control efforts, and the process of natural succession.

To meet the recovery goals for viable Karner blue butterfly populations, the Huron-Manistee National Forest's Plan calls for the restoration and maintenance of 20,300 acres of savannas/barrens within designated Karner blue butterfly population management areas and essential Karner blue butterfly habitat. Currently, the recovery effort is focused on developing four viable metapopulation areas within the Manistee National Forest.

Since 1992, hand cutting, prescribed burns, mechanical removal of vegetation (i.e., mowing, sheer cutting, masticating, bulldozing), scarification, seeding, and road closures have been used to manage 712 acres of occupied and 796 acres of unoccupied Karner blue butterfly habitat within the four metapopulation management areas.

The objective of these treatments is to reduce tree density and the encroachment of trees and shrubs, and promote the growth of native grasses and Karner blue butterfly nectar plant species, especially wild lupine - the sole food source for the Karner blue butterfly caterpillar.

Every year, the Manistee National Forest monitors the Karner blue butterfly to determine how far populations are from meeting recovery goals, and to evaluate the effectiveness of different management strategies for restoring Karner blue butterfly habitat. Between 2006 and 2008, the number of acres the Manistee National Forest monitored for the Karner blue butterfly increased dramatically (298 acres in 2006, 843 acres in 2007, 812 acres in 2008) due to volunteer participation in the 2007 and 2008 survey effort.

Volunteer participation in 2007 and 2008 was incredible! Individuals from numerous private and public partner organizations provided 281 volunteer days (~$37,000 in contributed volunteer time). To those who supported our 2007 and 2008 survey effort, thank you for being so generous with your time! With your support, the Manistee National Forest not only met, but surpassed its monitoring goals.

With the help of volunteers, the Forests inventoried 436 acres; locating 34 new Karner blue butterfly subpopulations. In addition, the Forests estimated Karner blue butterfly abundance and assessed habitat conditions within 78 subpopulations covering 580 acres, and examined the influence of weather on Karner blue butterfly overwintering survivorship by collecting hourly temperature and weekly snow depth data within 20 selected subpopulations. The Forests also conducted habitat surveys on an additional 104 acres to evaluate the effectiveness of different mechanical treatments at restoring Karner blue butterfly habitat.

Those participating in the 2007 and 2008 survey effort made an invaluable contribution to conserving the Karner blue butterfly by helping us dramatically improve our understanding of the Karner blue butterfly's status within the Manistee National Forest, and how to restore suitable habitat. Without good information, our efforts to recover the Karner blue butterfly will fail.

There is still much to learn if we are to prevent this species from disappearing from our local landscape. In 2009, the Forests will continue to monitor the Karner blue butterfly to determine: how far designated metapopulation areas within the Manistee National Forest are from meeting recovery goals; develop a habitat suitability model for Karner blue butterflies within the Manistee National Forest; identify high priority areas to target management; and evaluate the effectiveness of different management strategies for restoring Karner blue butterfly habitat.

For more information contact Heather Keough, 231.745.4631 x3111