Island Marble Butterfly Project

Presentation from the March 2023 Board meeting

Seattle Times article about the Island Marble Butterfly

Progress updates

Island marble butterfly site preparation continues at Lopez Island School District. This spring, new planting rows were established inside the habitat plot to support growth of the butterfly’s native host plant, coming in 2024. Rows will be seeded in the fall of 2023 and spring 2024 with field mustard (Brassica rapa) - one of the butterfly’s three known host plants. Host plants provide female island marble butterflies a place to lay their eggs, young caterpillars with everything they need to grow, and adults with the nectar they need to power their busy lives – fulfilling almost all lifecycle needs in one plant. Fencing around the habitat plot protects all life stages of this critically endangered species and helps provide a seed supply for more island marble butterfly host plants in the future.

The Islands Conservation Corps (ICC) created planting rows inside the habitat plot to support growth of the butterfly’s native host plant in 2024.

Marble butterfly planting rows

Marble Butterfly work

We offer students the benefits of a small district plus many advantages, programs and services rarely found in public schools. This is a school like no other. Partnering with families, volunteers and community, we co-create amazing learning opportunities in a climate of trust, support and success. Strenuous academics, an outstanding world travel program, a nationally-recognized farm-to-garden curriculum, a healthy cafeteria, vibrant arts, and award-winning sports are only a few of the exciting options open to all our students.

The Lopez Island School District does not discriminate in any programs or activities on the basis of sex, race, creed, religion, color, national origin, age, veteran or military status, sexual orientation, gender expression or identity, disability, or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. The following employee(s) have been designated to handle questions and complaints of alleged discrimination: Civil Rights Compliance Coordinator, Superintendent, Brady Smith; K12 Principal, Dr. Martha Martin; HIB, Title IX Coordinator, HR Specialist [email protected]; Section 504, Special Education Director, Mary Fordham; K-12 Counselor Robb Ellis OR contact by phone, 360-468-2202, OR mail to 86 School Rd, Lopez Island, WA 98261

Lopez Island School DistrictA Learning Community that Welcomes, Excites, and Challenges