Volunteers needed for endangered butterfly count

MARSHFIELD – Volunteers are wanted in Wood County to help the state Department of Natural Resources (DNR) with its annual Karner blue butterfly monitoring program.

The data collected helps determine the species’ population state, distribution and trends. It then goes to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's Karner Blue Recovery Plan, which has the goal of delisting Karners as an endangered species once it reaches a certain population.

The Karner blue butterfly's habitat once ranged from Minnesota to Maine and into Canada. Threats to Karners include habitat loss, fragmentation and climate change. Wisconsin has the largest remaining population of Karner blues, with an abundance of habitats that support this species, including open barrens, savannas and prairies that contain wild lupine (Lupinus perennis). Wild lupine is the only food source for Karners' pale green caterpillars.

Online training is available; or you can register for in-person field training sessions:

• 1-3 p.m. June 6, Beaver Creek Reserve – Wise Nature Center, Fall Creek
• 1-3 p.m. June 13, Hartman Creek State Park, Waupaca

For more information, go to the DNR’s website, dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/endangeredresources