POLK SOIL AND WATER CONSERVATION DISTRICT
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fender's blue butterfly

photo credit - Willamette Valley Fender's Blue Butterfly, USFWS - Pacific Region, Flickr, (CC By-NC 2.0)
Icaricia icarioides fenderi
In 2023, Fender’s blue butterfly (FBB) was reclassified from endangered to threatened by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. FBB has critical habitat within Polk County and surrounding counties of Polk SWCD's properties, Cornerstone and Smithfield Oaks. While individuals have been sighted, no populations have been found at Cornerstone, but oak savanna and woodland are strongly associated with the host plant species Kincaid’s lupine and Polk County is the home to some of the largest populations of Fender’s remaining within the designated recovery plan area from Douglas County north through the valley and slightly into Lewis County Washington. This lupine species (also listed) is the primary plant, along with sickle-keeled lupine that Fender’s will lay eggs on and is critical for existing populations to persist and expand. Ideal Fender’s habitat includes large populations of nectar producing forbs to support the lifecycle needs of Fender’s blue butterfly. Fender’s will travel around 1.2 miles from home population area; existing populations are very close to this estimated range limit to Cornerstone and habitat management prioritizes the desire to support Fender’s, should they colonize the site.
USFWS FBB

Life Cycle and identification

By: Rhiannon Cochrane and Duncan Thomas
FBB monitoring handbook
FBB Monitoring and ID
butterfly comparison
Silvery Blue Comparison

How can you help?

You can help by increasing native plant habitat on your own land. FBB is strongly associated with Kincaid's lupine. You can purchase these plants from our annual native plant sale or contact a local native seed grower. 
Native Seeds
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POLK SOIL & WATER
CONSERVATION DISTRICT

YOUR LOCAL SOURCE OF CONSERVATION INFORMATION AND ​EDUCATION IN POLK COUNTY, OREGON SINCE 1966

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580 MAIN STREET,  SUITE A,
DALLAS OR, 97338
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PHONE: 503-623-9680
OFFICE HOURS: MON.-FRI., 8:00am - 4:30pm
[email protected]
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The Polk Soil & Water Conservation District complies with the American with Disabilities Act (ADA) and prohibits discrimination in all its programs, services, activities, and materials on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity (including gender expression), sexual orientation, disability, age, marital status, familial/parental status, income derived from a public assistance program, political beliefs, genetic information, veteran’s status, reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity. 
  • Home
  • Our District
    • What drives us
    • Staff
    • Board of Directors >
      • Join the Board
      • Upcoming Board Meetings
      • Minutes
      • Committees
    • Our Properties
    • This Land
    • Polk SWCD History
    • Operational Documents
  • Our Work
    • Technical Assistance
    • Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board (OWEB) Grant Programs
    • Agriculture Water Quality Program
    • Successful Projects
    • 2023-2024 Annual Report
    • Disaster Assistance
  • Get Involved
    • Upcoming Events
    • Invasive Plant Workshop
    • 2025 Collaborative Conservation Community meeting
    • Join the Board
    • Tool Loan Program
    • Volunteer
    • Community Science
    • 2023 Conservation Award Recipients
    • Make a Donation
  • Stay Informed
    • Resources >
      • Tool Loan Program
      • Producers >
        • Agriculture Water Quality Program
        • SOIL CONSERVATION
        • Livestock
        • Organic Operations
      • Wildfire Ready
      • Forestry >
        • Conifer Focused Forestry
        • Oak Woodland Management
      • Invasive Species >
        • Emerald Ash Borer
        • Mid-Willamette CWMA
        • A-List Priority Weeds
        • The "B" Rated Weeds
        • Aquatic Animal Invaders
        • Reed Canary Grass info
        • Medusahead
      • Wildlife >
        • Fender's Blue Butterfly
        • Pollinators
      • Water Conservation
      • Native Plants
      • Traditional Ecological Knowledge
      • Rural Living Handbook
      • Resources for Youth
    • Cultivating Publication >
      • Cultivating Archive
    • Conservation Spotlight Podcast
    • Subscribe to Our Newsletter
    • News & Announcements
    • Virtual Events Library
    • Our Partners