Imperiled Prairie Butterfly Conservation, Research and Breeding Program

Project Details by Fiscal Year
2015 Fiscal Year Funding Amount
$245,000
Fund Source
Environment & Natural Resources Trust Fund
Recipient
MN DNR
Recipient Type
State Government
Status
Completed
Start Date
July 2014
End Date
June 2017
Counties Affected
Becker
Big Stone
Chippewa
Clay
Cottonwood
Dodge
Douglas
Grant
Jackson
Kandiyohi
Kittson
Lac qui Parle
Lincoln
Lyon
Marshall
McLeod
Murray
Nobles
Norman
Pipestone
Polk
Rock
Roseau
Sibley
Stearns
Swift
Traverse
Yellow Medicine
Becker
Big Stone
Chippewa
Clay
Cottonwood
Dodge
Douglas
Grant
Jackson
Kandiyohi
Kittson
Lac qui Parle
Lincoln
Lyon
Marshall
McLeod
Murray
Nobles
Norman
Pipestone
Polk
Rock
Roseau
Sibley
Stearns
Swift
Traverse
Yellow Medicine
Project Overview

With only 1% of Minnesota’s native prairie remaining, many prairie plant and animal species have dramatically declined. Of the 12 butterfly species native to Minnesota prairies, two species, the Poweshiek skipperling and the Dakota skipper, have already largely disappeared from the state and are proposed for listing under the U.S. Endangered Species Act despite being historically among the most common prairie butterflies and having their historic ranges concentrated in Minnesota. The Minnesota Zoo and the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources are using this appropriation to conduct efforts aimed at preventing the extirpation and possible extinction of these butterfly species in Minnesota. Efforts will include expansion of both a butterfly research and conservation breeding program and ongoing butterfly survey and monitoring programs. Because of the ecological role of butterflies as pollinators and a food source for wildlife, analysis should also reveal important information about the greater prairie ecosystem and guide actions to be taken to protect it.

Legal Citation / Subdivision
M.L. 2014, Chp. 226, Sec. 2, Subd. 05j2
Appropriation Language

$380,000 the second year is from the trust fund to the Minnesota Zoological Garden and $245,000 the second year is from the trust fund to the commissioner of natural resources to prevent the extirpation and possible extinction of imperiled native Minnesota butterfly species through breeding, genetics and mortality research, inventory, monitoring, and public education. This appropriation is available until June 30, 2017, by which time the project must be completed and final products delivered.

2015 Fiscal Year Funding Amount
$245,000
Other Funds Leveraged
$0
Direct expenses
$245,000
Number of full time equivalents funded
3.09
Proposed Measurable Outcome(s)

Click on Work Plan under Project Details.

Measurable Outcome(s)

Click on Work Plan under Project Details.

Project Manager
First Name
Robert
Last Name
Dana
Organization Name
MN DNR
Street Address
500 Lafayette Rd, Box 32
City
St. Paul
State
MN
Zip Code
55155
Phone
(651) 259-5086
Email
robert.dana@state.mn.us
Administered By
Administered by
Location

500 Lafayette Road
St. Paul, MN 55155

Phone
651-296-6157
Email the Agency