Biologist Jessica Linton will share an overview of the Ontario Butterfly Species at Risk Recovery Team’s work to reintroduce the endangered Mottled Duskywing butterfly back to places it was formerly found in Southwest Ontario. This work has included establishing a captive rearing program, habitat restoration, research, and the reintroduction of the species to Pinery Provincial Park and Norfolk County where the butterfly has been extirpated for over three decades. Jessica’s talk will be followed by a conversation with KLT’s Land Stewardship Manager, Hayden Wilson, on Kawartha Land Trust’s work to support Mottled Duskywing habitat on several of KLT’s nature reserves.
Facilitators:
Jessica Linton is a Senior Biologist and Manager of the Species at Risk Division of Natural Resource Solutions Inc. She is also a member of the COSEWIC Arthropod Specialist Subcommittee and the Chair of the Ontario Butterfly Species at Risk Recovery Team. A large portion of Jessica’s work over the last 15 years has focused on insect conservation, status assessment and recovery planning, especially in Ontario’s rare tallgrass habitats. nrsi.on.ca
Hayden Wilson is the Land Stewardship Manager at Kawartha Land Trust. Hayden is an endlessly curious person with a passion for the conservation of our native species and spaces. Previously, he worked for the Algonquin Wildlife Research Station where he facilitated projects on the park’s flora and fauna; however, Hayden has a particular fondness for herptiles, bats, fungi and rare plant communities. He specializes in species at risk monitoring, outreach, land management and holds diplomas from Fleming College’s Environmental Technician and Environmental Technology programs. Hayden spends as much time as possible immersing himself in the wetlands, forests, and barrens of the Kawarthas via meandering canoe trips and long hikes. He strives to protect and enhance ecosystems to allow them to be more resilient against the effects of climate change. kawarthalandtrust.org
Thank you to Cambium Consulting and Engineering for sponsoring KLT’s 2025-26 Passport to Nature program and to OFAH Foundation for supporting events in our 2025-26 programming.
