California Pipevine Swallowtail

I raise locally rare California Pipevine Swallowtails (Battus philenor hirsuta) for education and observation. These beautiful iridescent blue butterflies have become rare within San Francisco as a result of habitat loss. Starting in 2013, I began leading an informal conservation effort to bring this species back; carefully raising, introducing, and monitoring butterflies. Our largest project has been successful in introducing and supporting a population of this butterfly at the SF Botanical Garden's California Native Garden.

I've created this shirt as an expression of love for this species and to create awareness of something native and beautiful- a butterfly worth protecting and preserving.

The funds raised from t-shirt sales help to support rearing efforts that have made this process possible (garden supplies, butterfly rearing containers, transportation, propagation materials, irrigation, flight house construction, purchase of flower seeds, and purchase of nectar plants.)

Thank YOU for your support!