Fort Indiantown Gap announces free guided 2018 tours of rare regal fritillary butterfly habitat

Courtesy Photo | FORT INDIANTOWN GAP, Pa - Visitors of all ages participated in a rare Regal Fritillary butterfly guided tour on Fort Indiantown Gap, July 1, 2016. The Regal Fritillary is just one of the many rare species that can be found here and is the official symbol for the PA Natural Heritage Program. Fort Indiantown Gap also provides a wide variety of habitats for 40 species of mammals, 143 breeding species of birds, 36 species of reptiles and amphibians, 27 species of fish, more than 800 species of plants and many notable species of invertebrates to include 86 species of butterflies and 386 species of moths. Fort Indiantown Gap also provides habitat for more than 100 species of conservation concern in Pennsylvania. The tours, which have been offered for more than 10 years, allow the public to see this rare butterfly and its associated rare grassland habitat on military training ranges, as well as many other natural wonders on the 17,000-acre military post, which serves as the Pennsylvania National Guard’s headquarters. (Department of Military and Veterans Affairs photo by Tom Cherry/Released)  

FORT INDIANTOWN GAP, PENNSYLVANIA, UNITED STATES

05.30.2018

Courtesy Story

Fort Indiantown Gap

FORT INDIANTOWN GAP, Pa. – This June and July 2018, visitors are invited to come see the only population of regal fritillary butterflies in the eastern United States at Fort Indiantown Gap, near Annville, Lebanon County. The tours allow the public a guided opportunity to see this rare butterfly and its associated grassland habitat on military training ranges.

This year’s free guided tours will be on June 29, 30 and July 6, 7. No reservations are required and no rain dates will be scheduled. Please arrive no later than 9:30am. To navigate to parking, turn onto Asher Miner Road at the intersection of Asher Miner and Fisher Ave, Annville, PA 17003 (GPS coordinates in decimal degrees: North 40.4214, West -76.577), located immediately north of the entrance to the National Cemetery. “Wildlife Event” signs, wildlife staff, and volunteers will direct attendees to the parking area and provide additional instructions. Note: parking will be in different locations on Fridays vs. Saturdays, but the directions above pertain to all tour days.

Upon arrival, attendees will be instructed to park their vehicles in a caravan style. Prior to the tour, attendees must fill out necessary paperwork (be prepared to provide vehicle make, model, year, color, license plate state/number, and insurance carrier information,) and attend a mandatory safety/orientation briefing. Wildlife staff and tour attendees will then return to their vehicles and caravan to the tour site.

Tours will last approximately three hours, but attendees can leave earlier if necessary. Visitors of all ages and abilities are welcome. Tours will be on foot on gravel roads and mowed paths; wandering off of the path, into the fields is prohibited. Please wear appropriate clothing and footwear for uneven terrain, and consider bringing insect repellent, sun screen and other personal comfort items. Drinking water will be provided.

For more information about the tours (including a map with parking locations), or the regal fritillary butterfly, visit www.ftig.pa.gov and click on "Butterfly Tours" under the "Trending" section. General inquiries about the tours can be directed to [e-mail] or [phone].

MEDIA CONTACT: Pennsylvania National Guard Public Affairs Office, 717-861-8352 (Tour-specific questions should be directed to [e-mail] / 717-861-2449)

• Date Taken: 05.30.2018
• Date Posted: 05.31.2018 07:46
• Story ID: 278861
• Location: FORT INDIANTOWN GAP, PENNSYLVANIA, US