Habitat RestorationThe Taylor's Checkerspot butterfly is a beautiful orange, black and white checkered butterfly that flies in the spring in Puget Sound lowlands. This butterfly has become critically endangered through habitat loss. It is a keystone species whose presence indicates a healthy environment. We will continue to work on the Taylor's checkerspot butterfly project for habitat restoration with the clearing of noxious weeds and planting micro-habitat plots. Our mild maritime climate is ideal for the butterfly if lands are restored to maritime prairie.
We planted our first micro-habitat plot in October 2009 with various larval and nectaring host plants used by the butterfly. We will be monitoring the plants to see whether they can survive the eastern cottontail rabbits.
 October 2009 - first micro-habitat plot in foreground.
Update, Summer 2010: We discovered that the rabbits will not eat Plectritis congesta, commonly called Seablush. This is a pretty pink annual that grows with ease in our watershed. Please consider planting it in your garden to help the checkerspot butterfly recover. We will be ordering seeds to plant additional Seablush in the fall for the 2011 gardening season. |
 May 2009 - in the beginning.
Taylor's checkerspot butterfly references, with butterfly pictures: SeattleTimes Conservation NW (lots of links with butterfly information) If you wish to order seeds of larvel host plants contact us: volunteer@swanlake-preservation.org
"Many hands make light work" |
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Volunteer Opportunities |