Backing the (Karner) Blue

Karner Blue Butterfly & Native Habitat Program Saturday 6/22

​Come join the Newaygo County Environmental Coalition at the Croton Township Library for an event dedicated to preserving the beauty of the Karner Blue Butterfly! A deep dive into the Newaygo County endangered Karner Blue Butterfly will be presented on Saturday, June 22 from 2pm – 3:15pm at the Croton Township Library, 8260 S Croton Hardy Drive, Newaygo, 49337.

Following the indoor program there will be a field tour of the nearby Karner Blue Nature Sanctuary from 3:30 – 4:30pm. Due to sensitive plants at the Nature Sanctuary, there will be a limit of 30 people for the field tour. Free tickets are required via Eventbrite. To register, go to the Newaygo County Environmental Coalition Facebook page Events: NCEC FB Events Karner Blue Program. You may also email [email protected]. 

The Karner Blue Butterfly, one of Michigan’s rarest species, is facing the threat of extinction. It was listed as endangered in 1992, but by then the number of Karner Blues throughout its once immense Eastern geographic range had declined by 99%. Michigan and Wisconsin now have the largest remaining numbers of this butterfly.

With its survival closely tied to the presence of wild lupine, a native wildflower, the Karner Blue requires specific habitats like the unique dry-sand prairies and oak-barren ecosystems found in Newaygo County. Unfortunately much of the lupine’s habitat has been destroyed by human development and degraded by the invasion of trees, shrubs, and invasive plants that occur when sites are not managed.

Thanks to the recent efforts by local conservation groups and concerned citizens, habitats that support the Karner Blue remain in Newaygo County. However the butterfly’s survival is still at stake, and they need our protection.

“This program will explain the importance of much needed conservation efforts in our prairie-oak open habitats and how you can help protect this endangered species,” explained Katie Clark of NCEC. “You will also connect with fellow nature enthusiasts and discover the wonders of our unique local ecosystem. I urge you - don't miss this opportunity to make a difference in Newaygo County's natural heritage!”

Attendees will have the privilege of hearing from 5 esteemed guest experts on the Karner Blue Butterfly and their habitats. Presenters will include:

• James “Jim” Dunn, Professor Emeritus of Biology, GVSU, and Nature Sanctuary Restoratio Volunteer,  will speak on the biology, ecology and behavior of the Karner Blue Butterfly based on his extensive research within the dry sand prairies of the Huron-Manistee National Forest.
• Rod Kroll, a retired scientist and entomologist, and a Nature Sanctuary Restoration Volunteer, will engage us with information about his years of research on the Newaygo County Karner Blue populations.
• Sarah Pregitzer is a retired environmental science teacher and native plant specialist, a Field Coordinator for West Michigan Great Lakes Stewardship Initiative, the Co-creator of Newaygo County Invasive Plants Project (NIPP), and a Michigan Nature Association (MNA) Steward for the Newaygo Prairie Nature Sanctuary. Sarah will inform us about healthy habitats of wild lupine that the Karner Blue needs in order to thrive.
• Randy Butters, Master Naturalist, Co-creator of NIPP, and MNA Steward for the Newaygo Prairie Nature Sanctuary, will cover how to eradicate and manage the invasive species that threaten Karner Blue habitats.
• Chuck Vannette, MNA Steward for the Karner Blue Nature Sanctuary and a Restoration Volunteer, will talk specifically about the Newaygo County Karner Blue Butterfly Nature Sanctuary that is right in our own backyard.

“The restoration of habitats for the Karner Blue Butterfly requires collaboration and partnerships among lots of stakeholders such as the County, our Townships, Foundations, and all levels of government,” adds Katie. “But it is our community citizens who are the backbone to saving the Karner Blue. Volunteers don’t need PhD’s to lead the campaign – they just need to join us on our “Tender Loving Care” workdays at the Sanctuaries to remove invasive species, re-seed native plants, and write to our legislators about the importance of preserving and restoring our habitats. This is not only for the Karner Blue, but for all of our butterfly and insect pollinators that are so essential to keeping our environment healthy and diverse.”

The Newaygo County Environmental Coalition is a 501c3 non-profit organization whose mission is to support the beauty and sustainability of the Newaygo County region environment. NCEC has a fourfold focus: Youth and the Environment; 3R Reduce-Reuse-Recycle; LOBO – “Love Our Beautiful Outdoors” recreation opportunities; and Healthy Habitats on public and private lands. A newly organized “Newaygo Area Local Growers” network has formed under NCEC’s umbrella to support and promote local sustainably produced agriculture. 
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Volunteers are welcomed to enrich and support any of the four above focus areas. For more information, and to sign up for E-news, visit: www.nc-ec.org. Follow and like on Facebook @NCEC2. Contact information via email: [email protected].

Karner Blue Butterfly Program Presenters from left to right: Chuck Vannette, Jim Dunn, husband & wife team Randy Butters and Sarah Pregitzer, and Rod Kroll. Photos courtesy of the presenters.