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(66) Butterflies as a Hook for Land Ethic Education
Carol F. Mack - WSU/Pend Oreille County Extension, Newport, WA
Session: Concurrent session D2: Reaching New Audiences
These delightful insects have proven to be a very effective tool to draw gardeners and other nature-lovers into understanding ecosystem connections and the importance of wildlife habitat. Many species of butterflies have co-evolved with a particular species of native plant—to the extent that their larvae cannot eat anything else. Because of this one-to-one insect/plant relationship, these populations are at risk of extirpation as native habitat is eliminated through development. Understanding butterfly/host plant associations delivers a compelling argument for retaining native plants on property, or restoring native habitat where it has disappeared.
Butterfly classes and field sessions are offered through Pend Oreille County “Sense of Place,” an educational partnership between WSU/Pend Oreille County Extension and the Kalispel Tribe of Indians that responds to a variety of natural resource threats stemming from rapid rural development. Program marketing engages interest in nature and local culture to “hook” participants. Classes, field sessions and newsletter articles promote a land ethic, including water quality and wildlife habitat stewardship. Project funding sources, which have been renewed annually, include EPA sec. 319 tribal grants and Renewable Resources Extension Act (RREA).
Extension coordinates volunteer wildlife monitoring programs, and receives an average of ten requests yearly for presentations about butterflies or butterfly gardening from community groups. An annual family invertebrate field day attracted 85 participants in 2007. Post-class evaluations indicate an increase in understanding of invertebrate biology and ecology. Most importantly, participants show greater willingness to devote a portion of their property to native shrubs, trees and wildflowers as hosts for butterfly larvae—to the ultimate benefit of many additional wildlife species.
Carol Mack
WSU/Pend Oreille County Extension
PO Box 5045
Newport, WA, 99156, USA
Phone: 509-447-2401
Fax: 509-447-2402
cmack@wsu.edu