Spot the Checkerspot

Location: Cleveland Heights, Ohio, USA

Team Members: Emily Weatherhead

The beautiful and elusive Harris Checkerspot butterfly is native to Ohio, but is in danger of losing the majority of its habitat. Emily Weatherhead decided to create an organization that would educate people about the Checkerspot as well as work to restore its habitat. She has established several butterfly gardens with the help of elementary school students; visited schools, nature centers, and farmers markets to spread the word; created educational materials such as butterfly brochures, booklets, and identification tools; and presented to members of the Cleveland Museum of Natural History and hundreds of teachers. Most recently, she submitted a listing proposal to the Ohio Division of Wildlife in an effort to change the Harris Checkerspot’s status from stable to endangered.

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