Teacher’s Guide: Episode 1

Saving the Karner Blue Butterfly

Scientists reclaim habitat and nurture eggs in a quest to save the tiny endangered Karner Blue Butterfly, New Hampshire’s state butterfly.

Students will:

Describe the relationship between the Karner blue butterfly, the pine barrens, and the wild blue lupine.
Explain why the Karner blue population is endangered in New Hampshire.
Recognize the distinct characteristics of the Karner blue butterfly.
Describe the challenges that scientists trying to save the Karner blue butterfly in New Hampshire face.

Ask the students to share everything they know about the Karner blue butterfly, and write their responses on the board or on a flip chart. You can separate their responses into facts they know are true and facts they think are true.

Review the list of facts recorded before viewing; modify any misinformation and add new facts that were learned.
Contact the New Hampshire Nongame and Endangered Wildlife Program and find out what students can do to help protect the Karner blue population.
Write to a state legislator and find out what the state is doing to protect the Karner blue and what will happen to the state butterfly designation if the Karner blue becomes extinct in New Hampshire.

Image Caption: Two broods of Karner blue butterflies hatch each year.

Vocabulary

General Vocabulary

Minute
Pristine
Urban areas
Viable
Easement
Intrinsic
Buffalo nickel

Science Vocabulary

pine barrens
wild blue lupine
habitat
host plant
web of life
captive rearing

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Teacher’s Guide: Episode 1

Saving the Karner Blue Butterfly

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