The Nature Conservancy Photo

The public will have the opportunity to see the only colony of the Regal Fritillary butterfly habitat in the Eastern U.S. during free, guided tours July 6, 10, 12, 11 and 13 at Fort Indiantown Gap.

"This is a great opportunity for people to see this amazing, natural spectacle," said Carl Magagna, environmental program manager for Department of Military and Veterans Affairs. "Our guided butterfly tours promise to be an exciting and educational afternoon because our biologists are knowledgeable not only about butterflies, but birds, plants and other insects."

In addition to the Regal Fritillary, Fort Indiantown Gap provides habitat for 36 species of mammals, 102 breeding species of birds, 34 species of reptiles and amphibians, 25 species of fish, notable species of invertebrates and 792 species of plants. This includes excellent populations of deer, turkey, bear, bobcat, rabbit, squirrel, wild trout, amphibians, reptiles, small mammals and songbirds. The installation covers more than 17,000 acres, including over 3,000 acres of prime, native grassland habitat.

Tours will leave from the Fort Indiantown Gap Community Club, located at the intersection of Fisher and Clement Avenues (Rt. 934), at 3 p.m. each day and will last two to three hours.

For more information call the DMVA environmental office at 717-861-2449 and visit the Nature Conservancy’s Fort Indiantown Gap Regal fritillary webpage.

7/2/2006