03/17/2006: "Meeting On An Endangered SJ Butterfly"

A number of private and governmental agencies have come together to hold meetings on SJ and Lopez island to discuss the Island Marble Butterfly, once believed to be extinct, but found on San Juan Island, and in a few other locations, in 1998. The meetings will bring together the major stakeholders involved for a discussion on the butterfly, and -hopefully- how to protect it. The first meeting will be held at Skagit Valley College on San Juan Island, Friday the 17th, at 7 p.m., and then a second meeting on Saturday the 18th, on Lopez, 12:00 pm, at the Library.

Since its rediscovery there has been concern that it deserves governmental protection, and ironically one it's threats may be the government. At least part of it's habit is within the confines of the borders of the Federal park at the south end of San Juan Island, and according to the Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation, the park service has damaged parts of the habitat. The National Park Service will be one of the presenters in two scheduled meetings to be held this Friday and Saturday

The Friends of the San Juans may be contacted at 378-2319 for additional information

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