Snigdha+Rescuing+Rare+Butterflies

=St. Francis' Satyr= Snigdha Sompalli 4A

We went to the Teen Science Cafe to listen to two presenters talk about the endangered St. Francis Satyr butterfly. This species is native to North Carolina, specifically around Cumberland county and is suffering due to habitat loss and degradation. The two speakers talked about how they are working with conservationists in Fort Bragg to help sustain of St. Francis' Satyr's population there. They figured out that these butterflies needed open areas of land, and this was difficult to achieve because of lack of disturbances (some examples are fires and beavers). Therefore, the scientists use methods such as controlled fires and make open spaces for the butterflies, and they also use makeshift nurseries. Another point the speakers made was about how hard it was to take population surveys and how the numbers and methods aren't always accurate. We then did an activity where paper butterflies were hidden all around the room and we had to try to identify all of them. It showed us how difficult counting butterflies were, even if they weren't moving.

We need scientists, conservationists, and organizations like these to not only help sustain the St. Francis Satyrs, but also many other endangered species. Without them, these butterflies would have died off due to habitat loss. This relates to APES because we can see how environmental degradation and habitat loss can have such an impact on unique species. Conservation attempts are critical when it comes to saving endangered species. If this were to happen to a species that has a huge niche in our environment, we need to find a quick way to help sustain the species. This is exactly what the speakers were trying to do for this butterfly species.