Baldwin/White Cloud Ranger District Furthers its Efforts to Recover Rare Savanna Species

By Catherine Salm on Dec 12, 2010

To reverse the decline in rare savanna species, including the federally endangered Karner blue butterfly (KBB), the Baldwin/White Cloud Ranger District (District) has dramatically increased its savann

By Heather Keogh, Phd.

To reverse the decline in rare savanna species, including the federally endangered Karner blue butterfly (KBB), the Baldwin/White Cloud Ranger District of the Huron-Manistee National Forests has dramatically increased its savanna restoration efforts. Whereas an average of 50 acres per year was managed between 1992 and 2005, an average of 271 acres per year was treated between 2006 and 2009.

This year, the District treated more than 690 acres by conducting prescribed burns on 297 acres, planting nectar plugs on 28 acres, hand cutting 12 acres, harvesting timber on 96 acres, mechanically preparing and seeding 40 acres, hand seeding 18 acres, removing weeds on 57.5 acres, collecting 39.5 lb of nectar seed, and protecting 144 acres of KBB habitat. The objective of these restoration treatments is to reduce tree and shrub density, protect savanna remnants, and promote the growth of native grasses and nectar plant species, especially wild lupine, which is the sole food for the KBB caterpillar.

The dramatic increase in the District's restoration efforts was possible due to Great Lakes Restoration Initiative grant money. This funding allowed the District to exceed its target of conducting restoration activities on 400 acres per year, which is required to reach the Forest's goal of restoring 20,300 acres of savanna within the next 50 years.

Volunteer participation has been essential to successful restoration efforts. Over the last several years, individuals from numerous private and public partner organizations have helped conduct KBB population surveys and have assisted with savanna restoration activities. Between 2007 and 2009, volunteers contributed a total of 555 days; a contribution valued at $68,000. Volunteer participation increased dramatically this year with volunteers helping to conduct surveys, restoring habitat by seeding/planting native nectar species, and collecting native nectar seed that will be used for future restoration work. Overall, volunteers in 2010 contributed 331 days valued at $43,600.

Partnerships also have been critical to promote KBB conservation across jurisdictional boundaries. This year, the Michigan Wildlife Conservancy provided funds to help plant nectar plugs on over 25 acres of occupied habitat. The District also signed a supplemental project agreement with the National Wild Turkey Federation to restore 377 acres of habitat using American Reinvestment and Recovery Act funding beginning in 2011. In addition, the District conducted cooperative data collection and analyses with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources and Environment and Consumers Energy on 128 acres of occupied habitat on private lands adjacent to National Forest System Lands.