Whales, Violets, & Butterflies, Oh My!
To honor World Whale Day this year, we swapped our keyboards for gardening tools and headed to Salt Point in Jenner, CA. We dug into the bluff-top soil for a day of butterfly habitat restoration 🦋, keeping one eye on the horizon for migrating gray whales! We think this kind of cross-ecosystem conservation effort perfectly demonstrates how land and sea are beautifully linked.
The Behren's Silverspot Butterfly, once abundant along the Northern California coast, now teeters on the brink of extinction. By restoring its habitat, we're not just helping this rare butterfly, we're strengthening the entire coastal ecosystem.
Moon Scuba co-founder and certified California Naturalist, Bridget Sheils, sketches Viola adunca and Behren’s silverspot butterfly atop ocean bluffs.
On a chilly Tuesday, we joined local conservationists to plant Viola adunca (aka the western dog violet) along the coastal bluffs at Salt Point. This seemingly modest purple flower plays an outsized role in the survival of the endangered Behren's silverspot butterfly, serving as the sole host plant for its larvae.
Trekking to the planting site, volunteers find their footing while crossing Miller Creek.
We left the volunteer work day with dirt under our nails, joy in our hearts, and an even deeper appreciation for the delicate dance between terrestrial and marine ecosystems.
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The Behren's Silverspot Butterfly
John Hibbard
The Behrens' silverspot butterfly, a stunning golden-brown beauty has silvery spots that sparkle in the sunlight. They can only be found along a small stretch of California's dramatic coastal prairies between Mendocino and Sonoma Counties. With a wingspan of just over 2 inches, these delicate creatures emerge in mid-to-late summer, where they can be spotted gracefully dancing through coastal meadows dotted with violets and thistles, though catching a glimpse of one is increasingly rare. Their habitat, shaped by cool fog and ocean breezes, is under threat from development and changes in the landscape, making them one of California's most endangered butterfly species. The largest remaining population can be found near Point Arena, where lucky visitors might spot these ethereal insects floating through the mist-shrouded coastal grasslands between July and early September.
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The Ripple Effect of Coastal Conservation
While our mission for the day centered on planting Violas, the benefits of this restoration project ripple far beyond saving a single species. Healthy coastal plant communities:
Prevent soil erosion, reducing sediment runoff that can harm marine ecosystems
Filter pollutants before they reach the ocean
Support diverse pollinator populations that contribute to the overall health of coastal habitats
Create natural buffers against storm surge and sea-level rise
Maintain the delicate balance between terrestrial and marine ecosystems
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Where Land Meets Sea: The Interconnected Nature of Conservation
As diving enthusiasts and ocean advocates, we understand that marine conservation doesn't start and end at the waterline. The health of our oceans is intimately connected to the well-being of coastal ecosystems. Every plant we put in the ground at Salt Point represents our commitment to this holistic approach to conservation.
Moon Scuba co-founder, Chloë Greene, reaches for a young Viola adunca to plant into bluff topsoil a day ahead of rain.
We're proud that coastal habitat restoration is a part of Moon Scuba's conservation commitment—from the deep blue to the coastal bluffs. Every action we take on land echoes in our oceans. Whether we're diving beneath the waves or planting violets on coastal bluffs, we're all connected. ✿
Thanks to a grant from the Disney Conservation Fund, this project brought together the Sonoma-Mendocino State Park District, Arcata Fish and Wildlife Office, and the Laguna Foundation in a beautiful symphony of conservation collaboration.
Special thanks to Terra Fuller, Senior Environmental Scientist, Sonoma-Mendocino Coast District, Amelia Schall Tůmová, Sonoma-Mendocino Coast District Volunteer Coordinator, and Ayla Mills, Nursery Program Manager, Laguna de Santa Rosa Foundation. We appreciate getting the chance to learn from you on volunteer work days like this one and recognize your commitment the community and our environment.
