Purchase to Protect Mitchell's Satyr Butterfly

Helping people protect the local wild and scenic places they care most about.

Property Purchased to Protect Mitchell's Satyr Butterfly

SWMLC continued its efforts to protect the endangered Mitchell's Satyr butterfly by purchasing 30 acres near Dowagiac in December 2006. This area is known to contain one of the richest populations of Mitchell's satyrs anywhere in the world. The project, a conservation priority of the Mitchell's satyr recovery team coordinated by the US Fish & Wildlife Service, is one of only a handful of viable populations of this federally endangered species.

"Permanently protecting this site is a significant action step in the recovery efforts of this endangered species," said Carrie Tansy, biologist with the USFWS. "We are very pleased with SWMLC's work in managing and protecting habitat for the saytr and congratulate them on this conservation success."

During the past several five years the Berrybrook Farms' Hassle family opened up their property to monitoring and began the process of learning about the life cycle and habitat needs of this species. As their knowledge of the butterfly and SWMLC increased, SWMLC staff started discussions with them on the acquisition of the property, setting in motion the purchase and permanent protection of this site.

The wetland portion of the Hassle property is a mix of shrub-carr and high-quality prairie fen, with the shrub-carr encroaching on the fen areas. The wetlands in the Dowagiac area once contained over 200 acres of the fen habitat critical to the survival of Mitchell's satyrs. The shrub invasion has reduced the prime habitat to a mere 10 acres.

The Hassle property is adjacent to several private properties whose owners have also allowed SWMLC's summer crews to remove brush and invasive species and open up the sedge meadow fens. Results have been impressive - the number of satyrs observed in this area area has increased steadily.

Future management will consist of continued monitoring and shrub-carr control to ensure that these rare butterflies to not permanently disappear from our world. The current recovery plan recommends at least 16 geographically distinct, viable populations, with 12 in Michigan. At least half of these sites must be protected by federal, state or conservation organizations and managed to maintain fen habitat. SWMLC is pleased to have added to the protected acreage with this important purchase.

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