Poweshiek Skipperling International Partnership
In response to the imminent imperiled state of the endangered Poweshiek skipperling, an international coalition of conservation partners has formed a partnership to foster coordination and collaboration.
Our Mission & Vision
We seek to stimulate, coordinate, and integrate the efforts of multiple partners across international borders to accomplish the sustained recovery of the Poweshiek skipperling and ecosystems upon which it depends.
We utilize scientific information and leverage the expertise of our members to help:
1) Minimize the likelihood of near-term extinction and,
2) Maximize the long-term viability of the Poweshiek skipperling.
Conservation & Research
The Poweshiek skipperling, once a predictable butterfly of North America’s northern prairies, is now one of the most endangered animals on the planet. Despite once being common, the Poweshiek skipperling was not well studied prior to its decline leaving conservationist scrambling to understand a system that has already been mostly lost.
Dedicated conservation efforts from various organizations began once their precipitous decline was noted. In 2016, the Poweshiek Skipperling International Partnership was formed to coordinate these efforts in the hopes of reversing the decline of this imperiled species. The Partnership utilizes a variety of tools that are based on the best available scientific information.
PSIP Team & Committee Structure
The Partnership fosters collaboration among partners and stakeholders to identify, prioritize, and implement timely management actions to prevent the extinction of the Poweshiek skipperling and maintain its supporting habitats. We recognize that each partner has domain-specific decisions, constraints, priorities, and mandates that they must accommodate.
The PSIP is organized by a Steering Committee and several Working Groups. Each Working Group is led by co-chairs that represent the breadth of the Partnership entities. The co-chairs of each Working Group make up the Steering Committee.
Steering Committee
- Partnership Coordination
- Decision Support and Analysis
- Action Guidance
Erik Runquist, Minnesota Zoo
Melissa Grantham, Nature Conservancy of Canada
Science Support
- Butterfly Surveys
- Data and Information Management
- Science Coordination
- Science Delivery
Justis Henault, Independent Researcher
Melissa Grantham, Nature Conservancy of Canada
Habitat Management
- Vegetation Surveys and Monitoring
- Adaptive Habitat Management
- Risk Management
Kaitlyn Kelly, USFWS
Mike Monfils, Michigan Natural Features Inventory
Population Management
- Zoo-based Rearing and Breeding
- Translocations
- Genetic Monitoring
Tamara Smith, USFWS
Cale Nordmeyer, Minnesota Zoo
Communications
- Partnership Newsletter
- Public Engagement
- Social Media
- Website Management
Tamara Smith, USFWS
Mary Mallinger, Minnesota Zoo