2025 AWF Grant Update: Dalton Brantley
Each year, the Audubon Wildlife Fund supports research and other projects that directly benefit birds and wildlife in Montana. We recently checked in with the 2025 Audubon Wildlife Fund Grant recipients, and are excited to share these updates on their research and projects.
Grant recipient
Dalton Brantley, PhD student in the Division of Biological Sciences at the University of Montana
Project
Expanding a decades-long monitoring of the Gillette Checkerspot, a vulnerable butterfly species endemic to the Rocky Mountains, by resurveying 14 populations first monitored in the 1980s and 2000s, assessing population persistence and habitat changes.
Dorsal (left) and Ventral (right) view of a Gillette Checkerspot (Euphydryas gillettii) basking on Timothy grass (Phleum pratense). Photos taken by Dalton Brantley.
Update
The 2025 field season brought exciting progress in our effort to better understand the Gillette Checkerspot (Euphydryas gillettii), a rare butterfly of the Rocky Mountains and a Montana species of concern. This butterfly, found only from southern Wyoming to central Alberta, depends on wet mountain meadows and is considered imperiled in Montana. Through Project Gillette, a collaborative effort between the University of Montana and state partners, we are working to document its status and guide conservation for this Rocky Mountain endemic. Support from the Audubon Wildlife Grant made it possible to launch the Montana surveys this past summer.
Researchers Dalton Brantley (left) and Max Proctor (right) in route to historical survey sites located in the Belly River Valley, Glacier National Park. Photo taken by Brandon Honzel.
With grant support we were able to survey 11 sites with historical population data and visit another 12 sites where the butterfly had been observed, stretching all the way from Lookout Pass to the Little Belt Mountains. At each site, we assessed population size, floral resources, host plants, and habitat conditions. While data analysis is still underway, early results point to moisture availability and woody encroachment as key factors influencing population persistence. We are deeply grateful to Montana Audubon for recognizing that protecting birds means protecting the invertebrates and habitats they rely on, and for making this work possible.
For those interested to learn more or share any information about the Gillette Checkerspot contact Dalton Brantley (Dalton.brantley@umontana.edu)!
Researchers surveying high quality Gillette habitat in Northwestern Montana. Photo taken by Brandon Honzel.
Gillette Checkerspot (Euphydryas gillettii) nectaring on ragwort (Senecio integerrimus). Photo taken by Dalton Brantley.
