Politics & Government

Mission Blue, We Love You

The endangered Mission Blue is now South San Francisco's official butterfly.

A distinctive bright blue butterfly with a population of about 18,000 on San Bruno Mountain is now an official symbol of South San Francisco.

"We apparently have the largest population in the world," Mayor Richard Garbarino said, before joining the rest of the council to unanimously pass the resolution adopting the butterfly at its Wednesday night meeting.

and has an extremely limited local territory, including the Milagro Ridge and the Marin Headlands. Its population is in danger on San Francisco Twin Peaks, largely due to dieback of its primary host plant, Silver Bush Lupine, but San Bruno Mountain's Summer Lupine and Varied Lupine has allowed the butterfly to thrive here.

Find out what's happening in South San Franciscowith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Sharon Ranals, director of the Department of Parks and Recreation, told the council that in addition to raising awareness about stewardship and conservation, adopting the Mission Blue Butterfly would give the city a distinctive symbol to put on publications and park signs. South San Francisco's official color is already blue.

"Branding is important," said Councilmember Karyl Matsumoto, who proposed the resolution.

Find out what's happening in South San Franciscowith free, real-time updates from Patch.


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