Fort Indiantown Gap

Regal Fritillary

Why You Should Visit
The spectacular Regal fritillary butterfly was once common in the natural grasslands, pastures, and wet meadows of the northeastern United States. Today, the only place in the northeast to witness its exuberant flight is at Ft. Indiantown Gap, home to the Pennsylvania National Guard. Nestled between Blue Mountain and Second Mountain, the long, narrow valley that supports the Regal fritillary has been kept open and grassy-just what the Regal fritillary needs-by intentional burning, mowing, and training activities.

Location
Lebanon / Dauphin Counties

Size
220 acres

How to Prepare for Your Visit
The base is a restricted area. Please contact Patrick McElhenny at (717) 861-2663 for more information. If you would like to lend a hand at this site, check out our volunteer workdays for currently scheduled activities.

What to See: Animals
The regal fritillary is the star attraction at Fort Indiantown Gap.

What the Conservancy Has Done/Is Doing
Recognizing our expertise with the Regal fritillary, the Pennsylvania National Guard contracted with The Nature Conservancy to assist with the care of this last holdout for the butterfly in the eastern United States. In January 1998, we placed a project manager on the base to assist the Guard in its efforts to protect this beautiful orange, black, and white creature.

The Nature Conservancy conducts surveys and research to better understand both the Regal fritillary and its habitat. Management techniques include removal of trees, shrubs, and invasive plants that convert crucial grassland habitat into forest, as well as habitat restoration. In 2001, The Nature Conservancy worked with Ernst Conservation Seeds and the Chesapeake Bay Foundation to plant 25 acres of warm-season grasses.