Today the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service designated "critical habitat" for what I think is one of the most beautiful insects in America--the Hines Emerald Dragonfly. Huge, emerald green with yellow stripes, and (as are all dragonflies) graceful, the Hines Emerald Dragonfly can be found in Illinois, Michigan, Missouri and Wisconsin.
Today's designation will add an extra layer of protection to over 13,000 acres of fens, marshes, sedge meadows, and dolomite prairies that support Hines Emerald Dragonfly populations.
NRDC, which recently launched a new Midwest Office, has begun working to conserve the dragonfly and the habitat on which it depends. While this designation is an important first step, it does have flaws--in particular, it fails to protect any dragonfly habitat in Missouri or in the the Mark Twain and Hiawatha National Forests in Michigan. We'll be carefully evaluating the designation in the coming days, but for today, my little green friend, bravo and good luck!
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