Experts shine light on Silverspot

Learn about habitat restoration efforts for the Oregon silverspot butterfly during the February Community Meeting hosted by MidCoast Watersheds Council in Newport on Thursday, Feb. 5.

The evening features a presentation by Tyler Clouse and Llew Whipps focusing on historic, current and future work to restore and enhance habitat for the butterfly, federally listed as a threatened species.

Topics include expanded programming in North Lincoln County and opportunities for community engagement, along with habitat improvement work at Camp Westwind across the river from Cascade Head.

Clouse joined the Lincoln Soil and Water Conservation District in 2021 and has a bachelor’s degree in environmental studies from the University of Michigan. His work focuses on the intersection of human resource use and environmental protection through regulatory compliance and outreach.

Whipps is a restoration ecologist with the Institute for Applied Ecology and has worked on meadow restoration for the Oregon silverspot butterfly at Camp Westwind since 2024. Based in Corvallis, Whipps manages habitat restoration projects from the coast to the Cascade foothills and is a co-founder of the Mid Valley Prescribed Burn Association.

Wednesday’s presentation begins at 6:30 pm at the Pacific Maritime Heritage Center, located at 333 SE Bay Blvd. in Newport. For more information, go to midcoastwatersheds.org.

Oregon Silverspot Butterfly • Nestucca Bay National Wildlife Refuge by Peter Pearsall