mitchell's satyr

Mitchell’s Satyr: one of the rarest butterflies in the world, lives in a particular kind of wetlands (called fens) that historically have been naturally maintained by occasional forest fires or beavers creating dams.

But not anymore. These days, we humans don’t generally allow forest fires or beavers to change whole ecosystems like they used to.

So with extremely limited habitat in which to live, the population of Mitchell’s Satyr has become almost nonexistent. With only tiny populations remaining, ecologists are working hard to breed new butterflies while also protecting/restoring that critical habitat— but it’s an uphill battle. This 3-block woodcut shows the butterfly on one of the grasses it lives on: carex stricta.

I was lucky enough to hear Nick Haddad speak about Mitchell’s Satyr and other rare butterflies during my residency** at the University of Michigan Biological Station last summer. Nick is a rare butterfly expert who is working to restore habitat and populations. To learn more, check out Nick’s work and his book: “The Last Butterflies: a scientist’s quest to save a rare and vanishing species.”

Mitchell’s Satyr is a woodcut handprinted with nontoxic, vegetable oil-based inks on lotka* paper and measures approx 6x8”. Limited run of 16.

10% of all sales of this print will go to the Xerces Society to advance invertebrate conservation efforts.

*Environmentally friendly lokta paper is handmade in Nepal from the fibers of the Nepal Paper Plant (a fast-growing shrub that regrows in 4-6 years after cutting). The harvest and creation of these lotka papers serve as a reliable source of income for Nepalese artisans.

**In the summer of 2022 I was lucky enough to participate in an art residency at the University of Michigan Biological Station. In addition to teaching block printing, I had lots of time to explore the gorgeous ecosystems of northern Michigan, learn from the ecologists working there, and create several pieces inspired by my experiences.