Butterflies Don't Shop

This remaining section of pine rockland forest sparked protests several years ago when developers announced plans for the privately owned land. The main reason for the fight? Known populations of Strymon acis bartrami (Bartram's Scrub Hairstreaks), an endangered species endemic to the pine rockland forests of south Florida were common in that area. The shopping plaza eventually won the battle, leaving a strip of undeveloped forest along their parking lot as a peace offering to conservationists. The Hairstreak continues on in this little patch of forest, mere feet from unknowing shoppers.