Taylors checkerspot butterfly (euphydryas editha taylori TCB) a federally listed endangered species a state endangered species in washington and a strategy species in the oregon conservation…

Taylors checkerspot butterfly (euphydryas editha taylori TCB) a federally listed endangered species a state endangered species in washington and a strategy species in the oregon conservation strategy was once abundant in native prairies across the pacific northwest. However loss of habitat from agricultural development fire suppression urbanization forest succession the spread of invasive species and a recent dramatic reduction in host plant availability in washington have led to a decline in TCB abundance distribution and sites suitable for TCB introduction. Today there are approximately 11 extant populations remaining including one in british columbia canada eight in washington state and two in oregon. To date recovery efforts across the species range have primarily focused on maintaining quality prairie habitat at sites currently occupied by TCB annual monitoring and captive rearing and reintroduction or augmentation. Unfortunately these actions have not led to significant population increases or range expansion. TCB remains in dire straits. Without additional intervention this species is at high risk of extinction. This project substantially expands the scope of previous TCB recovery efforts by 1) funding three captive rearing programs (one in washington state and two in oregon) 2) conducting sustained habitat restoration of extant and future TCB sites 3) conducting habitat assessments across the species range to identify opportunities for restoration and TCB reintroduction (to bolster existing and establish new population complexes) 4) increasing funding for annual population monitoring 5) utilizing TCB enclosures to evaluate success of captive releases and 6) strengthening the partner network and knowledge exchange by supporting annual working group meetings and a regional scientific conference. The primary expected outcome of this project is a reduced risk of TCB extinction. TCB resiliency will be enhanced by improving habitat conditions for extant populations and increasing the number of populations within population complexes. Redundancy will be increased by establishing new populations. Representation will be achieved by supporting three captive rearing programs across the species range. Moreover coordinated efforts to exchange knowledge and lessons learned at the annual TCB working group meeting will give partners an opportunity to learn from each other discover new techniques and strengthen partnerships. In addition to furthering recovery of TCB restoration of prairie habitats has the potential to benefit other federal and state listed threatened and endangered species or recently delisted species such as streaked horned lark (eremophila alpestris) fenders blue butterfly (icaricia icarioides fenderi) kincaids lupine (lupinus oreganus) golden paintbrush (castilleja levisecta) and willamette daisy (erigeron decumbens).without direct intervention the prospect for TCB recovery is poor. However the presence of a broad suite of partners (e.g. federal state and county land managers ngos correctional facilities and private landowners) working to protect and restore native prairie habitat continuing and expanding captive rearing efforts and expanding our knowledge about efficacy of larval introductions provides an opportunity for this species to be successfully recovered. Through this project a network of partners will collaboratively work together to promote the lasting recovery of TCB.