Coastal Pollinators Program

What is the OSB?

The Oregon Silverspot Butterfly (OSB), which is named for the distinctive bright white and black-lined spots on the underside of its wings, is a threatened subspecies of the zerene fritillary butterfly (Speyeria zerene hippolyta) that was once commonly found along the coast from Northern California to Southern Washington. Today, its remaining populations are confined to 5 known sites, 4 of which are on the Central Oregon Coast, between Mount Hebo and Rock Creek south of Yachats.

The OSB’s prime habitat is salt spray seaside meadows, where dynamic and ever-changing conditions create openings for the early successional species this butterfly relies on. Most important of them is the early blue violet, the OSB caterpillar’s sole source of food. However, extensive coastal development and the need for wildfire prevention have limited the availability of spaces these plants can grow.

Why Is It Important To Save the OSB?

From an ecosystem perspective, a diverse and balanced number of species must exist to maintain an efficient, productive, and sustainable ecosystem. All species depend on each other, either directly or indirectly, and the more diverse the ecosystem is, the greater its ability to withstand stresses like drought, disease, invasive infestations, and the like. The OSB is of high ecological importance as an indicator species in coastal prairies, meaning it is a species that tells us that something has changed or is going to change in its environment. When populations of OSB are doing poorly or failing, so much more is at risk than meets the eye.

Lincoln Soil & Water Conservation District (LSWCD) has partnered with the US Fish & Wildlife Service to promote several programs aimed at rehabilitating the remaining OSB populations in Lincoln County, creating new habitat, and educating the public about this threatened species. Read on below to learn about these programs, opportunities to get involved, and more!

Our Programs

Safe Harbor Agreement (SHA)

Figure A. Geographic area covered under the Oregon Silverspot Butterfly Safe Harbor Agreement, Bray Point to Big Creek, Lane County, Oregon.
SHA area of eligibility map

If you own or manage land between Bray Point and Rock Creek (see “Figure A” map on the right) and are interested in conserving OSB populations, our Safe Harbor Agreement (SHA) program may be right for you.

This agreement serves to promote stronger OSB populations by enhancing habitat conditions on the participating property, mainly by way of removing invasive weeds and planting native butterfly host species.

If you are interested and eligible to participate in the SHA, District specialists will conduct a preliminary survey of your property to determine its baseline conditions before enhancement work is carried out by our technicians.

District staff will work individually with each landowner to develop an owner-approved restoration plan specific to their property. Properties that include open, grassy meadows within 5 miles of the corridor may be eligible for participation at the discretion of District Specialists.

Eligible properties include those between Bray Point and Big Creek within 1/2 mile from the ocean

The Safe Harbor Agreement is valid for a minimum period of 10 years, and voluntary participation ensures that the property involved will be exempt from any mandatory regulations related to conservation of the OSB that may be enacted in the future.

Visit the Safe Harbor Agreements page to learn more about the program, or contact Lincoln Soil and Water to learn how to get involved!

OSB Habitat Corridor Partners Program

Habitat Corridor Program Eligibility Map

Do you own land that checks these boxes?

Beverly Beach to Newport’s North Jetty
Wakonda Beach to Bray Point/Bob Creek
Within half a mile of the beach
Minimum of 500 square feet up to several acres

Your help may be critical in helping ensure a future for the Oregon Silverspot Butterfly!

The Lincoln Soil & Water Conservation District is partnering with the US Fish & Wildlife Service as well as local landowners to create new habitat throughout critical portions of the OSB’s historic native range in preparation for reintroduction efforts, by forming a new Safe Harbor Agreement Program for this area.

As part of these efforts, OSB meadows will be coming soon to Sam Moore Park, Camp Gray, and several private properties located in our target area. If you think your property may be right for habitat corridor enhancement, contact us for more details!

Habitat Surveys

Our staff have partnered with specialists from Oregon State University, the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians, Natural Resources Conservation Service, US Fish and Wildlife Services, Mackenzie River Trust, and others to conduct assessment surveys of potential OSB habitat. If you own or manage land you think may have value as a pollinator refuge, email Lincoln Soil and Water.

Below are some of the plant species that provide nectar and are often seen on our OSB meadow restoration projects.