Protecting the Metalmark Butterfly

There’s something magical about watching a butterfly in flight. As children, many of us were captivated by these tiny but showy creatures. Even today, glimpsing a butterfly in our path can stop us in our tracks.
But did you know that the health of butterflies relates to your enjoyment of the Appalachian Trail?
The thousands of plant and animal species that exist along the A.T. contribute to an outdoor experience that is globally renowned. The loss of just one species can have a cascading effect that we can only begin to imagine.
Today, some 1,800 rare, threatened, and endangered plants and animals call the Trail landscape home - and need our protection to survive. Among them is the tiny northern metalmark butterfly.
The Appalachian Trail Conservancy is working hard to protect the northern metalmark butterfly population along the A.T. - learn how in our latest video, as well as how protecting even the smallest of species on the Appalachian Trail can have a large impact on the health of the surrounding environment.
Learn more and help support our work to protect the metalmark butterfly and the rest of the species that call the A.T. home: appalachiantrail.org/metalmark
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