Michigan Army National Guard Leads Nation in Reintroduction of Endangered Mitchell's Satyr Butterfly at Fort Custer Training Center

LANSING, Mich. - The Michigan Army National Guard's (MIARNG) Fort Custer Training Center (FCTC) became the first military installation in the United States to reintroduce a federally endangered species that had previously been extirpated from the site, marking a significant milestone in both species conservation and military environmental stewardship.

From June 30 - July 6, 2026, approximately 300 endangered Mitchell's satyr butterflies were released into a carefully selected prairie fen habitat within FCTC. The release was part of a collaborative conservation effort involving the MIARNG, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Michigan Natural Features Inventory, Michigan State University, John Ball Zoo and other conservation partners.

Mitchell's satyr butterfly is one of the nation's rarest butterflies and is federally listed as endangered under the Endangered Species Act. The species depends on high-quality prairie fen wetlands, one of Michigan's rarest natural communities. Throughout the Midwest, many prairie fens have been degraded or lost due to development, hydrologic alterations and wetland filling, contributing to the butterfly's decline.

FCTC offers a unique opportunity for recovery of the species. The installation contains an extensive, high-quality prairie fen habitat within a large, protected landscape that has remained largely undeveloped. These wetlands support the specialized groundwater conditions and native plant communities required by Mitchell's satyr and many other rare species.

"This achievement reflects the MIARNG's commitment to being responsible stewards of the land entrusted to us while maintaining the highest levels of military readiness," said U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Paul D. Rogers, adjutant general and director of the Michigan Department of Military and Veterans Affairs. "By protecting these unique natural resources, we preserve a world-class training environment for our Soldiers and help ensure Michigan's natural heritage endures for future generations."

The effort is the result of years of planning, habitat evaluation and close coordination between the MIARNG and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Through the formal consultation process, partners developed a framework that allows the butterfly population to be established and managed while ensuring military training and operational readiness remain fully supported.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service recently completed a Biological Opinion supporting the reintroduction, concluding that the project is not likely to jeopardize the continued existence of the species and recognizing FCTC as a suitable location for a temporary reserve population that contributes to the species' recovery.

The project reflects the MIARNG's long-standing commitment to proactive natural resources management. FCTC manages more than 7,500 acres of diverse habitats under an Integrated Natural Resources Management Plan that supports both military training and conservation of federally and state-listed species.

"Strong partnerships are essential to successful conservation," said Michele Richards, natural resources specialist at FCTC. "This achievement reflects the outstanding cooperation among federal and state agencies, universities, zoos, conservation organizations, and military land managers who share a common goal of ensuring this species has a future."

Military installations across the country play a critical role in conserving biodiversity. Because many Department of War (DoW) lands remain undeveloped and actively managed, they often provide refuge for rare plants, animals and natural communities that have disappeared from surrounding landscapes.

The Mitchell's satyr release represents another example of how the DoW and the MIARNG are helping conserve America's natural heritage while maintaining the military readiness mission that supports national security.

Photo Link: Mitchell's Satyr Butterfly Photo Album