Program Description

The Butterfly Ecological Conservation Technician Program is a 6-month, 14-credit ecological conservation course offered July through December each year. Participants receive education and training on butterfly husbandry applicable to the diapause life phase, introduction to the taxonomic order lepidoptera, plant and pollinator interactions, general principles of ecology, data entry and reporting, overwintering plant care, greenhouse management, and pest and disease control. The course includes general study of butterflies with specific resources on Taylor’s checkerspot butterfly taxonomy, life history, ecological significance, and conservation biology. Participants also review all butterfly husbandry procedures and make suggested improvements for clarity and to reflect proposed program and process updates. The program includes significant experiential learning components with academic components supporting hands-on education. This course builds on the 16- credit Butterfly Captive Rearing Specialist program, providing further education on conservation biology and ecology.
SPP also offers an additional 6-month, 16 credit course called Butterfly Captive Rearing Specialist Programs for those who want to continue this program and earn more college credit.

Technician Responsibilities

Butterfly Ecological Conservation Technicians meet the daily needs of the program and work closely with WA Corrections and SPP staff to maintain high program standards. Technicians are expected to attain subject matter expertise, work effectively as a team,
and demonstrate autonomy and accountability. The program requires detailed, technical work, frequent contact with partners and visitors, and may include performing scientific research.

Course Learning Objectives:

• Demonstrate butterfly husbandry knowledge by providing effective care, monitoring, and accurately recording data and observations for butterfly larvae throughout their diapause life phase.
• Practice and apply the education provided through
  this course by recording observations, participating in regular program check-
  ins, and documenting data throughout the butterfly’s diapause life phase and
  fall/winter plantain plant care.
• Demonstrate understanding of random sampling methods through applied use of diapause and other program procedures including sampling the population of larvae, calculating movement percentage, and accurate placing of matrilines in locations to mitigate risk of losses in genetic diversity.
• Actively participate in discussions and demonstrate general knowledge with
  Butterfly Coordinators, other course participants, and program visitors on topics such as butterfly husbandry, Taylor’s checkerspot life history, conservation biology, lowland Salish Sea prairie ecosystems, ecological horticulture, the impacts of phenology and climate change on Taylor’s checkerspot butterflies, and species conservation efforts.
• Demonstrate knowledge of the role of pollinators in an ecosystem, and co- evolutionary relationships between pollinators and plants through active participation in seminar discussions.
• Demonstrate understanding of how to effectively read scientific articles and interpret graphs and figures through active participation
  in seminar discussions.
• Apply course learning by documenting quantitative and qualitative data results of various husbandry methodologies and life stage outcomes; synthesize data to practice program reporting skills.
• Evaluate program procedures, data collection, and tracking systems. Describe and document proposed changes for all butterfly life stages to reflect thorough review of program procedures and understanding.
• Demonstrate competence using laboratory equipment including digital thermometers, digital scales, data loggers, stereo microscopes, and humidity gauges and implementing proper biosecurity laboratory techniques.
• Apply education and training by practicing skills to overwinter host plant species, identify and treat plant pests and/or diseases, and effectively
  manage the growing environment in greenhouse and cloche structures during fall and winter seasons.
• Provide written and oral reflection of program experiences.
• Demonstrate effective and efficient communication through successful teamwork, active participation, outreach, and problem solving.