Butterfly Conservation and Management course.

Twenty-two butterfly species are federally listed as endangered or threatened in the United States. There are also candidates for federal listing and others that have been identified as species of state concern in their native ranges. Most of the habitat upon which these species depend is severely fragmented and/or degraded, and the need for active conservation efforts is great. "Techniques for Butterfly Conservation and Management" is a three-day workshop designed to increase the number of skilled professionals and volunteers available to support butterfly recovery. The American Zoo and Aquarium Association (AZA) approved course is appropriate for government wildlife biologists; zoo, aquarium, and nature center personnel; environmental educators; volunteers; and others interested in butterfly conservation.

In order to address the needs of people both new and experienced in butterfly conservation, course topics include: Butterfly Diversity and Evolution; Ecology and Behavior; Captive Propagation Basics; Host Plant Care; Genetic Management; Case Studies in Butterfly Conservation; Field and Lab Techniques; Introduction to Recovery Planning; Permitting 101; Habitat Restoration; Exhibitry; Establishing Population Monitoring Networks; Butterfly Conservation Networks; and Integrating Butterflies into Educational and Conservation Programs.

The course will be offered April 28-30, 2005, at the McGuire Center for Lepidoptera and Biodiversity in Gainesville, Florida. Information on the course can be found at http://www.aza.org/prodev/.

Members and partners of the Butterfly Conservation Initiative (BFCI) developed this course in response to concerns that many people with a strong interest in butterfly conservation need specialized training in order to be truly effective partners in recovery efforts. The BFCI is a coalition of 49 AZA-accredited zoos and aquariums and six partners: the AZA, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Environmental Defense, McGuire Center for Lepidoptera and Biodiversity, National Wildlife Federation (NWF), and Xerces Society. The BFCI is dedicated to the conservation of threatened, endangered, and vulnerable North American butterflies and their habitats, with a focus on recovery, research, and public education.

BFCI partners and members have developed other educational material as well. The AZA and NWF developed a Butterfly Activity Guide, which can be downloaded from the BFCI web site (http://www.aza.org/ConScience/bfci). This guide includes activities appropriate for children in grades K-8. The Xerces Society and BFCI produced summaries of the life histories and recovery needs of all endangered and threatened butterflies in the U.S. These species profiles can be accessed at http://www.aza.org/ConScience/BFCI_SpeciesProfiles/.

If you have questions about the BFCI, Techniques for Butterfly Conservation and Management course, Butterfly Activity Guide, or species profiles, please contact Shelly Grow, BFCI Program Coordinator, at [e-mail] or 301-562-0777 x263.