We often hear reports of endangered species in far-away places like the Amazon rainforest or the African plains. Unfortunately, there are a number of endangered species native to Ohio, and wildlife enthusiasts should be familiar with them. Many are particularly unsuited to live in small backyard habitats, but you can help some endangered species by restoring habitat in your neighborhood.

The Karner blue butterfly (Lycaeides melissa samuelis) is a small blue butterfly about the size of a postage stamp. They prefer a habitat with dry, open, grassy areas containing many herbaceous plants, with a few widely-spaced trees. Once found across the Great Lakes and into New England, the Karner blue now has a very limited range. The Ohio Karner Blue Recovery Team is restoring habitat and reintroducing the butterfly to Ohio from a breeding population in Michigan. Help them come back to Ohio by planting nectar flowers like butterflyweed and bachelors button for the adults, and lupine for the caterpillars.

Mitchell’s satyr butterfly (Neonympha mitchellii mitchellii) was also once found in Ohio, now limited to certain sites in Michigan and Indiana. Slightly larger than the Karner blue and a rich brown color, Mitchell’s satyrs prefer swampy areas with substantial groundcover. Adults feed on flower nectar, if at all, and caterpillars feed on grass-like plants called sedges. Sedges are available in wonderfully attractive colors, and are an easy, low-care addition to any garden.

The Indiana bat (Myotis sodalis) is an endangered species still found in Ohio. About the size of a sparrow, Indiana bats perform a valuable service by devouring more than half their weight in insects each night. They are declining because there are few roosting sites available to them (they prefer caves and holes in trees, but will gladly use a bat house). There is also evidence that insecticides on the bugs they eat may be poisoning them. I encourage anyone interested in wildlife to limit their use of pesticides, since they can easily harm wildlife when used improperly. Try to help these Ohio natives by restoring habitat in your own yard. It is a great way to think globally and act locally.