Nature’s Comebacks in the Midwest

Pollinator populations across the Midwest have been declining rapidly in the last few decades, but one species is making its way back home to Illinois prairies: the regal fritillary (Speyeria idalia). This striking butterfly, often mistaken for a monarch due to its similar vibrant orange coloring and black markings, has some big obstacles in its path to survival: significant loss of prairie habitat and a very limited diet made up exclusively of prairie violets. TNC, partners and supporters are working to bolster habitat and violet food sources at preserves across the Midwest, including at our Indian Boundary Prairies and Nachusa Grasslands. At Nachusa, regal fritillaries are using prairie habitat restored as recently as five years ago. While the species remains in decline throughout its historic range, efforts like these prairie plantings that include five violet species and expand large, connected prairie landscapes are setting the stage for a comeback.

Few mammals have made as incredible a comeback as the river otter (Lutra canadensis). Historically, river otters were abundant in the waterways and coastal areas throughout Canada and the United States. Unfortunately, habitat loss, water pollution and the fur trade devastated otter populations. River otters are now found throughout the state, thanks to the efforts of the Indiana Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and its partners. In 1995, the DNR began to re-establish healthy otter populations in several watersheds of northern and southern Indiana, including the Blue River in Harrison County. TNC has been very active in the Blue River watershed for more than 20 years, improving water quality for the otter and many other species. The otter was removed from the state’s endangered species list in 2005, and it can now be found in more than 80 Indiana counties, far surpassing reintroduction goals.

Once extirpated in Ohio, sandhill cranes (Antigone canadensis) are making a comeback. Dating back 2.5 million years, sandhill cranes are one of the oldest living birds in the world. Unfortunately, the loss of more than 90% of Ohio’s wetlands has found the wetland-dependent bird in sharp decline in the state in recent decades. But, TNC is helping. Wetland projects like the restoration of Sandhill Crane Wetlands in northwest Ohio and the protection of Lucia S. Nash Preserve in northeast Ohio are providing important habitat for the cranes. Today, the bird is still threatened, but with more wetland restoration projects on the horizon, we hope to see them delisted one day soon!

Cisco (Coregonus artedi) is a “forage” fish that provides an important food source for larger fish like lake trout. But in 1970, you would have hard pressed to find cisco in any of the North American Great Lakes. From invasive species to overharvesting to environmental degradation, cisco went through it all and the impact it had on their population was devastating. However, as efforts were made to address these issues, cisco began to make their return. TNC partnered with experts to study the number of cisco in Lake Michigan beginning in the early 2000s, confirming their numbers and range have increased significantly.

Once believed to be extinct, this federally endangered dragonfly with bright green eyes is making a comeback on Wisconsin’s Door Peninsula, which hosts the greatest abundance of Hine’s emerald dragonflies (Somatochlora hineana) in the world. Years of research by Dr. Dan Soluk and his students have led to greater understanding of the life cycle of this somewhat mysterious animal and its habitat needs. With support from our members, TNC is using the information provided by these scientists to protect groundwater recharge areas important to the dragonfly’s larvae, which may be the key to the species’ survival.

Revered as a symbol of bravery, strength and freedom across cultures in North America, the bald eagle is considered one of our nation’s greatest conservation success stories. In Minnesota and Wisconsin, which boast the largest populations of nesting bald eagles in the Lower 48, they are especially a point of pride. Decades ago, this national symbol was at risk of extinction due to habitat loss, illegal hunting and widespread use of DDT, a once-popular chemical insecticide. When DDT was banned in the early 1970s, the number of known active nests in Minnesota was just over 100. By the time surveys concluded in 2006, the number of active nests was estimated at more than 1,300. In 2007, the bald eagle was officially removed from the Endangered Species List. Today, The Nature Conservancy proudly works to protect important habitat that benefits bald eagles, including in the Northwoods, the Driftless Area and the Mississippi River’s headwaters area.