May 23rd, 2016

Nestucca Bay OSB Script

(Italics-Voiceover Narration)
The Pacific Northwest. A place where its beauty is as limitless as its forests and its diversity is as
vast as its oceans. But in the midst of one of natures masterpieces lies a hidden calamity. A
danger that if unattended could turn into a devastating catastrophe. This threat is the slow
disappearance of coastal prairies and by extension the risk of the future extinction of the Oregon
Silverspot Butterfly.
The Oregon Silverspot Butterfly is a native, medium sized butterfly and is characteristically colored
orange and brown. It was classified as a threatened species on October 15th, 1980 by the United
States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). It is one of two Oregon butterflies listed as either
threatened or endangered.
IAN SILVERNAIL: Listed as a threatened species..unknown circumstances.
The Federal Endangered Species Act of 1973 defined two classifications of plants and animals that
need protected. Endangered species are those that are currently on the brink of extinction
whereas threatened species are likely to become at risk for extinction in the foreseeable future.
The Oregon Silverspot Butterflys natural habitat are large tracts of coastal prairies pocketed
along the coasts of California, Oregon and Washington.
In the year 1998 the silverspot butterflies experienced a gigantic population crash which
prompted the US Fish and Wildlife Service, partnered with the Oregon Zoo to start a restoration
project and create population supplementation program through the zoo, to help promote
population growth and reintroduction of the butterflies to healthy, sustainable ecosystems.
REBECCA CHUCK: Keystone speciesdestroyed by various things (0:18- 0:42)
In 2011, the Institute of Applied Ecology was contracted to conduct and oversee restoration
efforts of coastal prairies at Nestucca Bay Wildlife Refuge, which is located in Tillamook County
near the Oregon Coast.
SILVERNAIL: The Institute for Applied Ecology started five years ago.steps for prairie
restoration
Their primary goal is to convert the degraded prairies from the non-native pasture grasses that
have come and invaded the prairies back to the native coastal grasses to help create a more
complex, natural ecosystem which will support the Oregon Silverspot Butterfly.
SILVERNAIL: What were doing on the ground reflectsdiversity in plans and other species
Cannery Hill, the area of the Nestucca Bay Wildlife Refuge dedicated to the restoration, is divided
into several different Areas: (Graphic on top of drone footage?)

Area 1, which is located near the top is 0.9 acres.

Area 6, which is located just to the left of Area 1 is about 2.5 acres.
Area 2, which sits just below Area 6 bears a slightly larger plot of 3.6 acres.
And finally the largest area is Area 3/5, located on the bottom of the tract is 28.7 acres.
CHUCK: This NWR was a dairythe butterfly needs. (0:44-2:00)
Before looking any further, we must understand the difference between a healthy coastal prairie
and an unhealthy one.
SILVERNAIL: Coastal prairie is an uncommon ecosystemthat are related to the coastal prairie.
But what does that look like?
Coastal prairies are sporadic clusters of grasslands in coastal regions and climates. The natural
characteristic plants that reside there are hairgrass, fescue, Weston bracken fern, sedges,
California blue-eyed grass and lupine to name a few. Their impact on the diversity of the prairie
is unmistakable. When an invasive species threatens the balance of the ecosystem, everything is
impacted.
SILVERNAIL: Our goal is to take an ecosystemic approachmore sustainable system here.
CHUCK: Lots of species.helping have healthy coastal prairies.
But there are some prairies that are not healthy. One of the greatest dangers that threaten the
delicate balance of a healthy ecosystem are invasive plants. Some of the common invasive plants
at Nestucca Bay are false dandelion, smooth hawksbeard and creeping buttercup.
CHUCK: The number 1 issue with invasivecomplex ecosystem. (8:43-9:06)
Unhealthy coastal prairies are riddled with invasive species that take over and kill off the native
plants that animals native to the prairie need in order to survive. Species like the early blue violet.
The Oregon Silverspot Butterfly relies on the early blue violet to complete its life-cycle.
CHUCK: Flowers butterfies need for caterpillers to eat.
(Graphic of life cycle) The Oregon Silverspot butterflies cannot go through its life-cycle without
the violets. The female butterfly lays around 200 eggs near or on the early blue violet in late
August to early September. The eggs then hatch in approximately 16 days. The larvae wander
short distances to locate a good spot for diapause, a process of suspended growth to help protect
them against the winter freeze. They end their diapause in early spring after the harsh winter
weather resides and they begin to feed on the blue violet leaves. The larvae proceed to shed their
molts before going into their pupal case for what is called an intermediate stage. Then 2 short
weeks later, butterflies emerge from their cases from July to September.
To help preserve these butterflies, there has to be some tools used to accomplish this. One of
these tools comes in the form of a friendly face.
JULIANNE UBIGAU: UBIGAU: US. Forest service.looking for species that are hard to find..tool
is to use the dogs to help find the data The dogs sense of smell.And thats why we use them
UBIGAU: Dogs trained to find the scat.threatened species.
But these dogs are more than just a lovable ball of fluff. They are vital to finding caterpillars to
help learn about them and monitor their progress.
UBIGAU: Its a great, non-invasive.species of animals.
UBIGAU: 21 dogs in program.willingness to play ball.
But the conservation extends beyond the butterflies themselves. In order to protect the species so
they can flourish, there must be a focus on the place in which they live. One of the things that
must be done is taking care of the invasive grasses to allow natural plants like the blue violet to
grow. One of the methods for doing so is the use of herbicides.
SILVERNAIL: 35 acres, rolling hills..becomes a common approach.
Herbicides however usually carry with them an unfavorable stigma, but there are times when
their use are unavoidable.
CHUCK: Sometimes we have to use herbicideright back where you started. Very intensive.
(4:14-4:42)
The United States Fish and Wildlife Services Coastal Prairie Conservation Initiative plays a key
role in our society. It positively impacts people like you and me! It is a valuable resource to private
landowners. Aside from the aesthetic value it holds, coastal prairies are also well suited for
livestock production and they provide habitat for several valuable game species.
But this project is not just for those in an agency or the forest service. This project is for you. Your
participation is vital to the success of this project, even if it is just your awareness. No matter
what, you can make a difference in helping the preservation of the Oregon Siverspot Butterfly and
the future of Coastal Prairies.
CHUCK: Takes a lot of hard, hands on work with native ones. (2:00-2:06)
If you want to roll up your sleeves and get your hands dirty, the Conservation effort provides a lot
of opportunities to get involved.
SILVERNAIL: Were going to need more eyesin the long term.
Coastal prairies and the Oregon Silverspot butterfly have a bright future ahead of them, but first
comes climbing the mountain before reaching the top. But the good news is that the summit is in
our sights.
CHUCK: Close to releasing butterfliesto sustain them. (2:51-3:20)
SILVERNAIL: There are opportunities..plant species to the space.
The ornate Oregon Silverspot Butterfly. The rolling coastal prairies in their magnificence. These
are small jewels in the crown of the Pacific Northwest but if missing causes it to lose some of its
vibrant luster. They must be protected. Sustained. Polished. So that all can work together
cohesively with the rest of nature to allow her beauty to be exhibited to its fullest potential.