Mission Blue Butterfly

[[{"fid":"40896","view_mode":"full","fields":{"format":"full","alignment":"left","field_file_image_alt_text[und][0][value]":"Close up of a purple summer lupine blossom.","field_file_image_title_text[und][0][value]":"Summer lupine blossoms","field_exif_title[und][0]":"","field_exif_subject[und][0]":"","field_exif_author[und][0]":"","field_gps_gpslatitude[und][0]":"","field_gps_gpslongitude[und][0]":""},"type":"media","field_deltas":{"1":{"format":"full","alignment":"left","field_file_image_alt_text[und][0][value]":"Close up of a purple summer lupine blossom.","field_file_image_title_text[und][0][value]":"Summer lupine blossoms","field_exif_title[und][0]":"","field_exif_subject[und][0]":"","field_exif_author[und][0]":"","field_gps_gpslatitude[und][0]":"","field_gps_gpslongitude[und][0]":""}},"attributes":{"alt":"Close up of a purple summer lupine blossom.","title":"Summer lupine blossoms","class":"media-element file-full media-wysiwyg-align-left","data-delta":"1"}}]]Silver lupine was the preferred host plant for endangered Mission blue butterflies in the Golden Gate National Parks, but the emergence of a devastating fungal pathogen has prompted scientists to seek out a new paths forward.  Discover the innovative solutions park biologists have developed in their efforts to establish resilient wild lupine populations and help mission blues recover from near extinction.

A look at the painstaking work that goes into preserving habitat for the federally endangered Mission blue butterfly.

So you’re running Bay to Breakers and you still don’t have a costume idea? How about paying homage to the parklands you love in and around the city? Here are some easy costume ideas that will signal to everybody that right after this run, you’re ready for a hike.

In April 2016, a team of scientists hatched a daring plan to save some endangered mission blue butterflies from a Milagra Ridge site ravaged by a plant pathogen. See how—and why—they relocated a couple of endangered butterflies to another spot on Milagra.

It’s mission blue butterfly season in the Golden Gate National Parks, and you can catch a glimpse of this endangered species at Milagra Ridge. Learn about this diminutive butterfly—and the plant upon which its survival depends.

This winter the Golden Gate National Parks will be planting over a thousand lupines, the host plant of the endangered mission blue butterfly. As we prepare for this restoration work, a Park Stewardship manager reflects on the big lessons he’s learned from this little butterfly.