Blue Ridge Center: Baseline Biological Inventories

Blue Ridge Center for Environmental Stewardship

	Our Land
	Scientific & Natural Stewardship
	Flora & Fauna
	Geology
	Waterways
	Historical & Cultural Stewardship

Scientific and Natural Stewardship

BUTTERFLY BASELINE INVENTORY

Baseline Biological Inventories

• Botanical/Vegetative Inventory
• Botanical Data

• Mammalian Inventory
• Mammal Data

• Bird Inventory
• Bird Data

• Butterfly Inventory
• Butterfly Data

• Fish Inventory
• Fish Data

• Amphibian & Reptile Inventory
• Amphibian & Reptile Data

SUMMARY OF FINDINGS
Many species of butterflies are rapidly losing habitat. They also are highly vulnerable to pesticide pollution, and often suffer from mass sprayings against gypsy moth infestations and are at risk after agricultural sprayings take place. Moreover, collectors have a negative impact on butterfly populations, over-collecting a species to the point of extirpation. The Blue Ridge Center for Environmental Stewardship seeks its butterfly population (taking only pictures) in appreciation for their role in our greater ecosystem and for their diversity and beauty. The Center's extensive habitat variety provides an excellent venue for butterfly enthusiasts, led by volunteers from the Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy. Notable butterflies include the Gold-banded skipper in our current inventory total of 42 species.

STUDIES TO DATE
First surveyed in 1998, species identified in subsequent years are added to our inventory database. In May 2001, Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy sponsored an International Migratory Bird Day — an event which enabled field volunteers to site four new butterfly species.

Review Butterfly Data

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