Continent-wide Butterfly Habitat Network Launched

MORRISTOWN, N.J., Nov. 15, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- The North American Butterfly Association (NABA) has launched the Butterfly Habitat Network (BHN); a new, continent-wide conservation initiative. Using decades of accumulated knowledge from butterfly count data, natural history investigations, residential gardening program and regional activities accomplished by the National Butterfly Center and more; NABA is scaling-up efforts to protect, enhance and create habitat specifically for butterflies. The organization intends to inform work on the landscape level that will benefit not only butterflies but other pollinators as well. Butterflies are important pollinators of native plants and represent (as caterpillars) a major food resource for birds. Habitats critical to butterflies are essential to nesting waterfowl, neotropical migratory birds, upland game birds and others.

To recover imperiled species of butterflies and keep common species common are the goals of BHN. By establishing core reserves in sensitive, often declining, vegetative types, NABA can provide stewardship activities on-the-ground on properties whose management is controlled by biologists dedicated to preservation of butterflies. These core areas will be the critical space needed for population maintenance, as part of a network of public and private working lands managed by NABA and partners, that expands the acreage available to butterflies through Farm Bill incentives and other programs. The mosaic of land conservation strategies is designed to promote biodiversity while fostering sustainability of agricultural operations. Sites for acquisition, easements or habitat augmentation will be selected in reference to their butterfly value, proximity to other suitable habitat and likelihood of long term success.

Building on years of work at the local level, your participation is critical to increasing the continent's populations of butterflies. If we can save butterflies, we can save ourselves® is more than just a slogan – it is the understanding that adequate, well-cared for space for the wild others of this planet will ensure survival and quality of life for human beings.

The North American Butterfly Association (NABA) is a 501 c(3) non-profit entity headquartered in Morristown, NJ. The organization's largest project is the National Butterfly Center in Mission, TX. Through an active Chapter system and engaged membership, NABA works locally to promote on-the-ground conservation work and institutes policy initiatives to further its mission. For more information visit http://www.naba.org. Connect with us on social media @NABAButterfly.

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SOURCE North American Butterfly Association