The minnesota zoos pollinator conservation initiative has played a central role in the conservation of the U.S. Endangered poweshiek skipperling (oarisma poweshiek)

The State of Minnesota - MN Zoological Gardens received a $185,000 Project Grant from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service under the Endangered Species Recovery Implementation program (CFDA 15.657), awarded on June 2, 2025, with a completion date of September 30, 2028. This three-year cooperative agreement supports the Minnesota Zoo's central role in the conservation and recovery of the federally endangered Poweshiek skipperling butterfly. The deliverables include the development and refinement of novel rearing and breeding techniques for captive populations, implementation of species translocations at remaining wild populations in the United States, creation of decision support tools to inform recovery strategies, and active participation as a foundational member of the Poweshiek Skipperling International Partnership (PSIP).

The grant funds personnel costs, consumable supplies necessary for breeding and rearing operations, and travel expenses for Minnesota Zoo staff to conduct recovery activities, with operations centered in Michigan and potentially other locations. The Zoo's work has contributed to stabilization and increases in the last remaining wild U.S. populations of this critically endangered species, advancing the Endangered Species Act's recovery objectives through scientifically sound conservation implementation.

We have developed novel rearing and breeding techniques, conducted translocations at the last known populations in the united states, developed decision support tools, and serve as foundational members of the poweshiek skipperling international partnership (psip). Thanks, at least in part, to our efforts, the last known wild populations of poweshiek skipperling in the united states appear to be not only stabilizing but also increasing. We seek support for a cooperative agreement grant from the U.S. Fish and wildlife service via recovery implementation funding opportunity F24AS00431. The total request is $185,000 to be utilized over a three-year period to support the personnel time required to conduct these activities, consumable supplies for rearing, breeding, and translocations, and travel for minnesota ZOO staff to conduct operations in michigan (and potentially elsewhere).