AUGUSTA, Mich. — More than 100 endangered “Mitchell’s Satyr” butterflies have been released within the Fort Custer Training Center in Augusta.
It’s the first time a military installation has reintroduced a federally-endangered species that had previously removed from the site.
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The Michigan Department of Military and Veterans Affairs says Tuesday’s event marks a significant milestone in species conservation as well as military environmental stewardship.
“We’re trying to give this endangered species a chance to propagate in places that are safe and military installations, we won’t be developing anything here,” Michele Richards, natural resources manager, said. “Behind a fence line. It’s a perfect place for them to be able to be safe and protected.”
There are only about 1,000 of these butterflies left in the United States…