Karner Blue Butterfly
Management Partners Workgroup

January 29, 2004
John Ball Zoo Boardroom
Grand Rapids, Michigan

Minutes

Present: Jennifer Fettinger (MNFI - Lansing), John Lerg (MDNR - Plainwell), Gary Dawson (Consumer's Energy - Jackson), Joe Kelly (USFS - Baldwin), Steve Mueller (Kent ISD), Rhoda deJonge (Land Conservancy of West Michigan), Matt Herbert (MDNR - Lansing), Kurt Pindel (USFS - Baldwin), Mike DeCapita (USFWS -Lansing), Norah Fletchall (John Ball Zoo-Grand Rapids), Larry Visser (MDNR - Cadillac), David Schuen (MDOT - Lansing), Tom Funke (Binder Park Zoo), Milton Rieback (Binder Park Zoo), Christopher Hoving (MDNR - Plainwell), Margaret Parker (Consumer's Energy - Jackson), Michelle McQuiston (Oceana Conservation District - Shelby), Polly Gray (MDNR - Lansing), Matt Groves (ENSR Corp. - Warrenville, IL), Joe Bennett (METC - Ann Arbor), Maria Albright (MDNR - Allegan), Doug Powless (Land Conservancy - Grand Rapids)

This was the fourth meeting of the Karner Blue Butterfly (KBB) Management Partners Workgroup.

I. Welcome/Introduction

John Lerg, Karner Blue Butterfly (KBB) Habitat Conservation Plan Coordinator, Michigan DNR, began the meeting with introductions.

Since the last meeting of the workgroup, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services KBB Recovery Plan has been finalized and is available by link from the USFWS website Midwest.FWS.gov to the KarnerBlue.org website.

II. Public Meetings Scheduled

John Lerg

Two meetings have been scheduled to seek public input on the KBB Habitat Conservation Plan. The first meeting will be February 10, 2004, 7:00 p.m., at the Brooks Township Hall in Newaygo. The second meeting will be February 11, 2004, also at 7:00 p.m., in Allegan at the Allegan Area Community Center. The meetings will be announced publicly by January 30, 2004, via a statewide DNR press release. The meeting notice will be published in two local newspapers that meet the legal requirements for advertising public meetings. Once the press release is announced, John will contact other newspapers near areas of known KBB habitat in order to increase local coverage. The press release will be available on the KBB website (http://karnerblue.org). It is important that the word get out so people who have an interest are informed. It is planned that there will be more meetings to follow these initial (2) meetings as the planning process goes forward. February and March will be the "60-day open comment period". There will be opportunity given during the meetings for the public to submit their comments. In addition, comments may be submitted in writing during this period by mail, email, or fax. It is extremely valuable to have the comments in writing. Comment forms will be made available at the meetings to help the public submit their remarks. This form will also be available on the website. Completed forms will then be logged and considered in the planning process, especially in development of management alternatives.

III. 2002 - 2003 Survey Results & Goals for 2004 Field Season

Presentation by Jennifer Fettinger, Associate Program Leader - Zoology, Michigan Natural Features Inventory

2002 - KBB present on 3,441 acres of which 169 were surveyed first year. Went back to known sites that had not been surveyed in 4 years. 2003 - Focus was mainly on private lands Landowner contacts and private land surveys

• 181 letters were sent to landowners
  • 38% responded
  • 54 land owners allowed survey
  • 14 denied access to their property
  • 6 letters undeliverable due to wrong address
• Phone calls were made to 45 who did not respond
  • 10 allowed property to be surveyed
  • 6 denied access to property
  • 29 could not be reached
• Personal contact was made at 16 properties with prior contact
  • 15 allowed survey of property
  • 1 denied any access to property
• Personal contact was made at an additional 21 properties - all allowed survey

MNFI data shows that statistically, KBB are limited by the availability and density of lupine. If lupine plants are few and scattered - no KBB found. KBB do tend to nectar on whatever nectar species is the most abundant. Preferred nectar species: butterfly weed, dotted horsemint, flowering spurge, and dewberry.

In areas where KBB desired plants are found but no ant mounds, there were not any KBB found. Caterpillars secrete a sweet substance that the ants eat. It is believed the ants may protect the caterpillars. It is unknown what ant species are involved. There are also species of ants that appear to be predatory on the KBB. These are things to keep in mind in order to successfully manage for KBB. Areas of concern - potential KBB population decline or loss

• Manistee National Forest
• May have declining population in the Flat River SGA

Possible factors in population decline or loss

1. Forest Succession
2. Planting to pine or other incompatible forestry practices
3. Residential and recreational development
4. Agriculture
5. Off-road-vehicle use

For 2004, would like to go look in different areas for KBB. Will use statewide habitat model in determining survey priorities. Identify areas with high probability for KBB and suitable habitat.

Jennifer displayed a draft of a "lupine identification and reporting card" that she is developing. This is a postcard with a photo of lupine on it. It asks that if you have seen a plant like the one pictured, that you provide the information of location. This could be used to help map lupine and get leads on KBB. It is undecided, at this time, if KBB photo should also appear on it.

IV. Huron Manistee Forest Management Strategy

Presentation by Joe Kelly, U.S. Forest Service The National Forest KBB Habitat Strategy Plan Draft - progress since September

• Minimum requirement was an area of 10 sq. miles for large metapopulations
• Metapopulations in White River, Otto, Brohman, and Bigelow are planned
• Land acquisition proposed - White River
• Land treatments - due to funding, this process will take a long time
  • Burnings
  • Restore savannas
• Road closures have been made however, more user-made roads are appearing before KBB HSP can be completed
  1. USFWS will review the draft plan
  2. Forest District staff must review the draft plan
  3. Forest Leadership staff must review the draft plan

Final strategy plan will then be included in the revised Land & Resource Management Plan - Huron-Manistee National Forests.

Joe has announced his retirement in March, 2004. We wish him well and will miss him.

V. Education and Outreach

Nora Fletchall, Assistant Director, John Ball Zoo

Nora presented a draft of the new KBB brochure that she has been developing. Jennifer Fettinger will review the brochure for biological accuracy. "Kids for Karners" educational outreach program. Development committee: Norah Fletchall, Thomas Funke, Milton Rieback, Steve Allen, Heather Koster, and Lisa Hann

• Purpose - to develop a sense of responsibility for the future of Michigan and wildlife in Michigan
• Target group - elementary children

Rough draft of program

• Develop an environmental education project focusing on the restoration of butterfly habitat
• Engage students in the process of instilling a life-long interest in wildlife
• Select 3 elementary schools to participate
  • 1 near Binder Park Zoo in Calhoun/Kalamazoo County, 1 in Kent County, and 1 in Muskegon
• Work with the entire school, grades K - 5
• Environmental class that meets the Michigan science class standard
• Involve students in the restoration of 1 acre sites for butterfly conservation
• Could be model gardens, involve MSU's Master Gardener Program

Funding being sought through the American Zoo and Aquarium Association (AZA), Conservation Endowment Fund

• Grant is currently being written

Seeking help with land acquisition, money, site prep, and ideas
Long-term goal is to go region-wide

VI. Land Owner Incentive Program (LIP)

Chris Hoving, MDNR - Wildlife Biologist, LIP

Briefly, LIP is to "help landowners help rare species". If you know of people who want help with a land management plan, contact Chris.

VII. Recovery Implementation Draft

John Lerg

Drafting recovery objectives. Ultimate objective in Michigan is to perpetuate the KBB species through recovery of the oak savanna ecosystem.

Indicator species - indirect measure of target species benefit and measure relationship of landscapes to one another.

Areas outside of targeted metapopulations would be managed as viable subpopulations as a goal.

Dynamic, conservative approach to conserving the KBB is being planned.

More refinements to come to MRIP as review comments come in. MRIP redrafting will receive lower priority than drafting of the HCP.

Other Items

Steve Mueller ("Ranger Steve") will be making a presentation on the Recovery Plan at the Ralph Milton, Stratford Ontario -Lepidopterist Society symposium. May be taking a group of students.

Homework

John requests that the Management Partners members come up with a list of contacts and local newspaper to get the word out about the public meetings

Next Meeting

Tuesday, May 25, 2004 at the Howard Christensen Nature Center, 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
For directions go to Kentisd.org and click on Nature Center.

Partial Agenda for Next Meeting

Jim Dunn will be giving a talk on his work with KBB.
Another report from Education and Outreach Committee
KBB Management Partners Workgroup and KBB Working Group will be getting together jointly at this meeting.