On Sacred Ground

FOR OVER A DECADE SAN JUAN ISLAND NATIONAL HISTORICAL PARK, NATIONAL PARK SERVICE (NPS) HAS BEEN RAISING ISLANDMARBLE BUTTERFLIES IN A CAPTIVE PROPAGATION FACILITY IN SUPPORT OF CONSERVATION STRATEGIES DEVELOPED WITH THE U.S. FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE (USFWS) AND OTHER PARTNERS. IN FISCAL YEAR (FY) 2024, THE NPS WILL PIVOT PRIORITIESAND FOCUS ON RESTORATION AND ENHANCEMENT OF IMB HABITAT IN SUPPORT OF THE USFWS RECOVERY PLAN (RP), RECOVERYIMPLEMENTATION PLAN (RIP), AND THE NPS VEGETATION AND ISLAND MARBLE BUTTERFLY RECOVERY. THE NPS WILL NO LONGERHAVE THE RESOURCES OR STAFF NECESSARY TO MAINTAIN THE CAPTIVE PROPAGATION PROGRAM. IF THIS PROPOSAL IS FUNDED,ON SACRED GROUND (OSG) WILL UNDERTAKE ALL PERMITTING, STAFFING, EQUIPMENT MAINTENANCE, PROPAGATION, ANDRESPONSIBILITY FOR INDIVIDUAL ISLAND MARBLE BUTTERFLIES BROUGHT INTO THE CAPTIVE PROPAGATION FACILITY IN 2024.

RAISING, MONITORING AND PROMOTING ISLAND MARBLE BUTTERFLIES AND HABITAT IN THE SAN JUAN ISLANDS

ISLAND MARBLE BUTTERFLY VOLUNTEER PROGRAM

THE CURRENT ISLAND MARBLE BUTTERFLY CAPTIVE PROPAGATION FACILITY LOCATED WITHIN SAN JUAN ISLAND NATIONAL PARK IS UNDER-EQUIPPED TO MEET FUTURE REARING NEEDS. ADDITIONALLY, IT IS THE SOLE SITE WHERE ISLAND MARBLE BUTTERFLIES ARE RAISED AND STORED OVER-WINTER, RENDERING THE ENTIRE CAPTIVE PROPAGATION PROGRAM VULNERABLE TO A VARIETY OF STOCHASTIC EVENTS. THIS PROJECT WILL CONDUCT A FEASIBILITY STUDY AND INITIATE THE SCOPING, OUTREACH, AND RESEARCH NECESSARY TO LOCATE AND DESIGN A SECONDARY REARING FACILITY. THIS EFFORT WILL IDENTIFY AN APPROPRIATE SITE, GENERATE POTENTIAL FUNDING PLANS, IDENTIFY NEEDED COMPLIANCE, AND DRAFT A BUILDING DESIGN. A NEW REARING FACILITY WILL PROVIDE GENERAL SECURITY AND GREATER CAPACITY TO SERVE CURRENT AND FUTURE POPULATION AUGMENTATION GOALS FOR BOTH THE NATIONAL PARK AND THE CANDIDATE CONSERVATION AGREEMENT WITH ASSURANCES PROPERTIES ON SAN JUAN AND LOPEZ ISLANDS.