FFoouunnddaattionion NeNewwss Baltimore Checkerspot Reintroduction Update This past summer, District sta昀昀 happened upon several nests of young Baltimore checkerspot caterpillars on turtlehead (Chelone glabra) while out in the 昀椀eld. This larval host plant, which is critical to the Baltimore Checkerspot life cycle, was planted as part of a donor-supported reintroduction e昀昀ort of the species in 2021 and 2022. Unlike many butter昀氀ies—which overwinter as eggs, pupae or sometimes adults—Baltimore Checkerspot caterpillars overwinter as caterpillars. The caterpillars spotted this summer left their nests in the fall and are currently burrowed beneath leaf litter or dead vegetation, poised to reemerge this spring as adult butter昀氀ies. Baltimore checkerspot butter昀氀ies are rare in the entire Chicago region, due in large part to fragmentation of their wetland habitat and lack of plant species like turtlehead (Chelone glabra), hairy beardtongue (Penstemon hirsutus) and English plantain (Plantago lanceolate), which are the only known plants where Baltimore Checkerspot eggs are laid and their caterpillars eat. Previous donor support gave us the resources necessary to purchase more than 4,000 turtlehead plants. Volunteers then supported the Conservation District’s reintroduction e昀昀orts by planting them on 135 acres across seven District sites between 2021 and 2022. As with any reintroduction or restoration project, it takes time for nature to rebound and we look forward to sharing future updates on the long-term response to this e昀昀ort. PHOTO CREDITS: Baltimore Checkerspot Caterpillars by Jeremy Caseltine | Baltimore Checkerspot Butterfly by Robert Novak Union Paci昀椀c Foundation Awards $15,000 for Glacial Park Restoration A Community Ties Giving Program Local Grant from the Union Paci昀椀c Foundation will support the District’s current restoration e昀昀orts at Glacial Park Conservation Area and improve habitat connectivity across the Northeastern Illinois and Southeastern Wisconsin border. With this $15,000 grant, the Conservation District will purchase a portion of the high-quality native seed necessary to restore more than 125 acres of native habitat within Glacial Park and connect nearly 235 acres from Illinois to Wisconsin for pollinators, birds and herptiles living in the area. These species include the federally endangered Rusty-patched bumblebee, Monarch butter昀氀y, Henslow’s sparrow, Blanding’s turtle and other Species of Greatest Conservation Need identi昀椀ed in the Illinois and Wisconsin State Wildlife Action Plans. “Local grants have the power to create meaningful change within the communities our tracks touch,“ said Beth Whited, Union Paci昀椀c President and Union Paci昀椀c Foundation President. “We are proud to partner with nonpro昀椀t organizations who are making an impact on the future—creating safer places for children and families; bringing economic prosperity to communities; building vibrant, inclusive areas for people to thrive; and instilling sustainable practices.” Union Paci昀椀c’s Community Ties Giving Program provides small and medium-sized grants that align with the railroad’s priority cause areas in safety, workforce development, community vitality and environmental sustainability. Previous support for this work was received from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Competitive State Wildlife Grant Program. Join Us On the Prairie Trail! Saturday, November 9 & Saturday, December 14 | 9 –11 a.m. Meet at the Mitchard Way parking lot in Algonquin Join us for the last Prairie Trail Clean Ups before we go into hibernation until April! Help us beautify the Prairie Trail and meet some new people. Bring gloves and hand sanitizer. Long-handled trash pickers provided. Sign up online at www.mchenryconservation.org/PrairieTrail OR email [email protected]. 6 Landscapes | Winter 2024-25