The tallgrass prairies of western Minnesota are one of the most endangered ecosystems in the world, and many species that rely on them are threatened, endangered, or in decline.  For example, 10 of the 15 butterflies listed as either Threatened, Endangered or of Special Concern by the State of Minnesota are prairie endemics.  Two of these, the Poweshiek skipperling (Oarisma poweshiek)and Dakota skipper (Hesperia dacotae) are also Candidate species for listing under the U.S. Endangered Species Act.   Big Stone National Wildlife Refuge in southwestern Minnesota protects 1,700 acres of remnant tallgrass prairie and provides valuable habitat for these prairie butterfly species.  Butterfly surveys in 1988, 1999, and 2000 documented these species at the Big Stone NWR, but only one Dakota skipper female was found during 2000 survey and the current status of both of these species in the refuge is unclear.  The Ulysses S. Seal Conservation Grant Program provided funding for follow-up surveys for these and other prairie butterfly species in 2009 and 2011.  Staff champion for this project is Cathy Schlegel, Tropics Trail zookeeper.  Learn more about the Minnesota Zoo’s new prairie butterfly conservation efforts here: http://www.mnzoo.com/conservation/conservation_mn_butterfly.asp.