Taylors checkerspot butterflies fluttered around Denman Island, in BC’s Juan De Fuca Strait for at least 16 years, using parks, right of ways and private properties that contained the specific mix of wetted habitat, nectaring plants and food plants for species requirements. As the numbers of checkerspots began to decrease residents were left wondering, where have all the butterflies gone?

Through extensive work over the years, surveying, monitoring, captive breeding and releasing butterflies on Denman, it’s become clear the important role that private lands play in sustaining habitat for these creatures on island. As we move forward after an incredible year releasing the first cohort of larva onto restored historical habitat on neighbouring Hornby Island, we grappled with the need to sustain butterfly populations on Denman, and how that might look within the human community landscape.

From this planning and discussion came an idea for a new partnership. In Spring 2020, WPC was proud to partner with Denman Conservancy Association (DCA) to work on some targeted community outreach. By combining the local knowledge, species expertise and community connection of DICA, with the experience in outreach, engagement and implementation of WPC, a bridge was able to be built between the science of species conservation and the embedded on-the-ground knowledge and access granted by landowners across the island.