Overview

Restoring ecosystems often brings to mind activities such as prescribed burning, invasive species removal, or planting native vegetation. While these approaches are essential, many species require additional intervention because they cannot readily recolonize restored habitats or have disappeared from them entirely. For these species, conservation translocations—including reintroductions and population augmentations—can be critical tools for restoring biodiversity and rebuilding resilient ecosystems.

The Norris Lab studies how conservation translocations can be used to recover species at risk and improve restoration outcomes. Our work has focused primarily on endangered butterflies, particularly the Mottled Duskywing, whose recovery is highlighted in the Study Systems section of this website. In collaboration with Jenny McCune (University of Lethbridge), we are also investigating the reintroduction of endangered plant species in southern Ontario, including Wood Poppy and Goldenseal. Looking ahead, we are developing projects to reintroduce the Frosted Elfin, a butterfly currently extirpated from Canada, and, in collaboration with NRSI Inc. in Waterloo, to restore Jefferson Salamanders to formerly occupied breeding ponds.

Related Publications

5. Polley, M, Linton, JE, Brewster, A, MacKenzie, AS, Keyghobadi, N, Steiner, J, Kerekes, T & Norris, DR. 2026. Host plant patch size selection of an endangered butterfly, the Mottled Duskywing (Erynnis martialis), at a reintroduction size. In press Journal of Insect Conservation

4. Polley, M, Linton, JE, Brewster, A, MacKenzie, AS, Keyghobadi, N, Steiner, J, Kerekes, T & Norris, DR. 2026. Reintroduction of an endangered butterfly, the Mottled Duskywing (Erynnis martialis). In press: Animal Conservation

3. Demarse, A, Trendos, E, Linton, JE, Flockhart, DTT, Brewster, A, Keyghobadi, N, Custode, L & Norris, DR. 2023. Phenology, population size, and factors influencing variation in density of an endangered butterfly, the Mottled Duskywing (Erynnis martialis). Endangered Species Research 50:195-208.

2. Henault, J, Linton, JE, Norris, DR & Westwood, R. 2022. Egg laying behavior and larval-shelter-construction of the endangered Mottled Duskwing (Erynnis martialis). Journal of the Lepidopterists’ Society 76(1):43-55.

1. Kroeze, S, Brewster, A, Linton, JE, Norris, DR, Otis, G, Young, Y & Keyghobadi, N. 2022. Microsatellites for the at-risk Mottled Duskywing butterfly, Erynnis martialis. Conservation Genetics Resources 1:1.