Baltimore Checkerspot Butterfly Ecology and Conservation in Harford County

Speaker: John Garrison, Conservation Director, Susquehannock Wildlife Society, Darlington, Maryland October 16, 2026 The Baltimore Checkerspot (Euphydryas phaeton), Maryland’s state insect, has experienced significant population declines across the state due to habitat loss, changes in land management, and the decline of important host plants. Join John Garrison, Conservation Director of the Susquehannock Wildlife Society, for an engaging look at the life history, habitat needs, and conservation status of this iconic Maryland butterfly. The presentation will explore the challenges facing Baltimore Checkerspots and highlight the Susquehannock Wildlife Society’s efforts to restore populations through habitat restoration, host-plant establishment, monitoring, and other conservation initiatives. Speaker Bio: John Garrison is the Conservation Director at the Susquehannock Wildlife Society, specializing in freshwater turtle ecology, herpetology, and the conservation and management of imperiled species. His research focuses on Wood, Bog, Box, and Spotted Turtle populations in central Maryland, emphasizing understanding movement ecology, habitat selection, reproductive ecology, and conservation strategies that support long-term conservation. In addition to his work with turtles, John leads conservation efforts for the Baltimore Checkerspot, Maryland’s state insect, including an ongoing effort to restore a population at the Susquehannock Wildlife Conservation Center through habitat and vegetation management and population augmentation.