Save the Butterflies, Move the Airport!

https://save-the-butterflies.org/

The El Segundo Blue, or Euphilotes battoides allyni for the lepidopterists out there, is a native butterfly that is no stranger to the little-understood “background music” of noise pollution that plagues the coastal communities of West Los Angeles and the South Bay.

The species inhabits three meager regions, with the area west of Sepulveda Boulevard between Westchester Parkway and Imperial Highway being the largest. In addition to the lack of nature in that highly-developed zone, there are other threats to the butterflies’ livelihood as well. Invasive species ravage seacliff buckwheat, the butterfly's host plant. Additionally, plants that were introduced to stabilize the dune system have since prevented the success of the seacliff buckwheat, stunting the population size of the butterflies.

Although it’s impossible to verify the true source of the noise pollution, some suspect that the Los Angeles International Airport may be a possible culprit. Unknown to the greater public, especially those playing roles in LAX operations, there are deep underground organizations that are studying the every move of this potential perpetrator. During an era when nearly nothing is sacred anymore, the very least that we can agree on is that the lives, and the ears, of the El Segundo Blue butterfly are no longer hurt.

The most feasible solution to this pressing problem is to simply move the airport altogether. With many other Department of Public Works services in Los Angeles taking place so smoothly and efficiently, there should be no reason why the city and county cannot combine forces to find a new home for LAX. Before this bipartisan issue can come to fruition, however, it will be hugely beneficial to come together as a local community to show support for the butterflies. Please join us in signing this petition, which will guarantee that you will remain informed about future developments as well.