Butterfly Conservation and Management Short Course 

Klamath Falls, Oregon
June 23, 2011
8:30 am to 4:30 pm

Many butterfly populations are declining, especially of those species that have highly specialized habitat requirements or are restricted to one or a few small remaining areas of habitat. According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), the leading causes of animal endangerment are habitat destruction, displacement by introduced species, alteration of habitat by chemical pollutants (such as pesticides), hybridization with other species, and overharvesting. Studies show that some species that were formerly considered widespread or common are now declining as well.

The Butterfly Conservation and Management Short Course will provide "real world" conservation training that is designed for federal and state management agencies in the Klamath region. Course curriculum will include a review of butterfly biology, butterfly identification (with an emphasis on the mardon skipper, Leona's little blue, monarch, and other local at-risk butterflies), the latest science-based habitat management recommendations, how those recommendations can be implemented, and the basics of captive propagation and reintroductions. The afternoon will include a field trip to mardon skipper sites and a discussion of on-the-ground management for at-risk butterflies.

The course is modeled after Xerces Society's highly successful Pollinator Conservation Planning Short Course, which has been presented in more than half of the U.S. states and has led to habitat improvements for pollinators on thousands of acres.

Participants will receive the Xerces Society's Butterfly Conservation Toolkit, which includes Xerces' latest book, Attracting Native Pollinators: Protecting North America's Bees and Butterflies, as well as other relevant information and publications.

COURSE TRAINING SKILLS AND OBJECTIVES

• Participants gain an understanding of butterfly importance and conservation.
• Participants learn basic butterfly biology, identification, habitat requirements, butterfly friendly management practices, design and development of habitat enhancements, and where to find additional resources.
• Participants gain the skills to implement effective habitat management and conservation efforts for butterflies.
• Participants will meet other biologists within their jurisdictions that are working on butterfly conservation.

COURSE AGENDA

Module 1: Introduction

• Butterfly decline
• Causes

Module 2: Basic Butterfly Biology

• Butterfly life cycle
• Identifying butterflies

Module 3: At-risk butterflies in southern Oregon. Profiles will include information on the following butterflies, among others:

• Mardon skipper
• Leona's little blue
• Monarch
• Grey blue
• Coronis fritilary

Module 4: Habitat management for at-risk butterflies

• Scale
• Grazing
• Forest encroachment
• Invasive species
• Fire management
• Off-road vehicles
• Habitat augmentation

Module 5: Conservation case study

• Mardon skipper

Module 6: Field Trip

• Field observation and land-use discussion at mardon skipper sites

INSTRUCTOR BIO

Scott Hoffman Black, Xerces' Executive Director, has over 25 years of experience in managing endangered butterflies and other animals, and has an intimate knowledge of butterfly conservation and management in Northwest landscapes. He serves as Vice-Chair of the Monarch Joint Venture and was recently appointed as Chair of the IUCN Butterfly Specialist Group.

ABOUT THE XERCES SOCIETY

The Xerces Society works to protect wildlife through the conservation of invertebrates and their habitat. Since its inception, the Xerces Society has strived to use the best available scientific information to further the conservation of butterflies, moths, and many other insects and invertebrates. Over the past 40 years, the Society has protected many endangered invertebrates, worked with scientists and land managers to understand and manage habitat for these animals, and promoted the idea of conservation at the bottom of the food chain to a public otherwise focused on bald eagles and whales. In the coming years, the Xerces Society will continue its efforts to educate the public, policy makers, scientists, and land managers about important issues related to Lepidoptera conservation.

More information about the Xerces Society is available at www.xerces.org