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EXPERIENCE > YOUTH ACTIVITIES > CONSERVATION PROJECTS
Coastal meadows are often very unique ecosystems and may contain plants and animals not found elsewhere in the region. The threatened Oregon silverspot butterfly is an excellent example. This insect feeds on plants which are predominately found in coastal meadows. Unfortunately, as the meadows were developed or became overgrown by forests, the silverspot’s numbers shrank. Today, there’s an active program headed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to help by the butterfly by restoring coastal meadows.
The program involves numerous agencies coming to together to work on different aspects of the butterfly’s recovery plan. The Oregon Zoo, located in Portland, helps raise butterfly larvae to be released back into the wild. The Oregon Coast Aquarium raised plants called early blue violets which are a vital food source for the butterfly. And volunteers of all ages participate in plantings and habitat restoration throughout the year and across the coast.
Coastal meadows are often very unique ecosystems and may contain plants and animals not found elsewhere in the region. The threatened Oregon silverspot butterfly is an excellent example. This insect feeds on plants which are predominately found in coastal meadows. Unfortunately, as the meadows were developed or became overgrown by forests, the silverspot’s numbers shrank. Today, there’s an active program headed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to help by the butterfly by restoring coastal meadows.
The program involves numerous agencies coming to together to work on different aspects of the butterfly’s recovery plan. The Oregon Zoo, located in Portland, helps raise butterfly larvae to be released back into the wild. The Oregon Coast Aquarium raised plants called early blue violets which are a vital food source for the butterfly. And volunteers of all ages participate in plantings and habitat restoration throughout the year and across the coast.
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Saving the Silverspot: Youth volunteers from all over Oregon come to the aid of the tiniest of creatures, the Oregon silverspot butterfly. See how these stewards help recreate missing habitat so the insect has a better shot at survival.
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How You Can Help the Butterfly:
Want to help this species? Contact the USFWS Recovery Coordinator at Oregon Fish and Wildlife Office, 2600 S.E. 98th Ave., Portland, Oregon 97266. Phone: (503) 231-6179.
