for release and protecting habitat suitable for new colony sites. As of the five-year recovery plan in 2013, no new populations had been established. However, restoration efforts in four sites created meadows in 2011 so that they could potentially house future butterfly populations. Once new populations are established, experts hope to increase connectivity between populations by implementing movement corridors. Implement information and education programs: Since the public plays a large role in conservation, education programs are necessary for the success of this plan. Education plans focus on eliminating illegal collection and creating collaborations with landowners to restore commercial land to habitat suitable for these butterflies. Most outreach has been in the form of publication. Since the Saint Francis' satyr has not yet been downlisted, the five-year review recommends continuance with the goals outlined in the recovery plan in addition to preservation of existing suitable habitat and restoration of new suitable land for colonization. Taxonomy Following its discovery, the Saint Francis' satyr was listed as a subspecies of the Mitchell's satyr (Neonympha mitchellii). The nominate subspecies, N. m. mitchellii, is distributed sparsely in the mid- and eastern US, including in Michigan, Alabama, Mississippi, and Virginia, and formerly New Jersey. Although the Alabama, Mississippi, and Virginia populations are morphometrically similar to Saint Francis' satyr, current molecular evidence supports that they are distinct from Saint Francis' satyr and that Saint Francis' satyr should remain as a separate subspecies from all other populations in the genus Neonympha with potential elevation to full species status pending further analysis. References Lessig, H.; Wilson, J.; Hudgens, B. & Haddad, N. (2010). "Research for the conservation and restoration of an endangered butterfly, the St. Francis' satyr". Report to the Endangered Species Branch, Ft. Bragg NC. U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 1996. Saint Francis' Satyr Recovery Plan. Atlanta, GA. 27 pp. External links Butterflies of North America Butterfly subspecies Endangered fauna of the United States Endemic fauna of North Carolina ESA endangered species Neonympha