During the month of July, Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA) wildlife staff will provide free guided tours of the only population of the rare regal fritillary butterfly in the eastern United States at Fort Indiantown Gap (FTIG), Annville. Tours will be conducted rain or shine, and no rain dates will be provided.

Guided tours will be offered on Fridays, July 1 and 8, and Saturdays, July 2 and 9. Departure times will be available at 10, 10:30, and 11:30 a.m. and noon each day.

The tours will allow the public to see this rare butterfly and its associated grassland habitat on military training ranges, as well as the many other natural wonders on the 17,000-acre military installation. Staff will also highlight a variety of animals and plants found at Fort Indiantown Gap and how the military presence on the installation is vital to the persistence of these species and their ecosystems.

Attendees will be required to caravan from the meeting location to the tour location in their personal vehicles. Tours will last approximately one hour plus driving time. Meeting location and parking information will be provided after obtaining a permit.

Visitors of all ages and abilities are welcome to attend. Tours will be on foot on gravel roads and mowed paths. Wandering off the path, into the fields, or away from the tour guide is prohibited. Attendees should bring drinking water and wear appropriate clothing and footwear for uneven terrain. There will be little or no shade on the tour route.

Reservations are required, and attendance is limited. All attendees, including children, must register online at http://www.ftig.isportsman.net/ButterflyTours.aspx to obtain a free permit. To attend a tour, visitors must present a permit for the specific date and time slot of that tour.

For general inquiries about the tours, contact RA-DMVA-Wildlife@pa.gov or 717-861-3299.