Rigdon Monarchs & Meadows: Milkweed in Rigdon

---

Guest Blogger: Kris Elsbree

---

Milkweed in Rigdon

The Rigdon Area in the Southern end of the Willamette National Forest is a dry mixed conifer forest that holds the northern extent of several species giving an oasis nestled in the Upper Willamette Watershed. 

Some of the unusual botanical characteristics include the abundance of Oregon White Oak and East side variety of Ponderosa Pine.  Taking a closer look at the plant communities in the meadows of this region and a distinct area can be defined as a habitat more likely to be found Southern Oregon. 

Field Crew with large Oregon White Oak on Milkweed Ridge 2018

One of the most picturesque and defining species to this habitat is Asclepias Cordifiolia; heart-leaf milkweed.  Coming to full bloom in late June and July heart-leaf milkweed becomes the center point of several meadows in the area being the largest plants with stunning flowers and seed pods. 

Monarch larva on heart-leaf milkweed 2018

Only a few years ago as the Rigdon Landscape analysis was underway there was only three known populations of milkweed in the Rigdon Area.  Tanya Harvey; a member of the Oregon Native Pant Society and the North American Butterfly Association and co-author of the Oregon Flora Volume 2; began looking at more potential sites for milkweed. 

Not only was Tanya able to find more milkweed but also discovered the first monarch butterfly in the area.  Since then Walama Restoration Project in Partnership with the U.S. Forest Service has been aiding those efforts by conducting milkweed and monarch butterfly surveys. 

Heart-leaf milkweed with seed pods

To date 16 meadows have been documented with milkweed and monarch butterflies.  The Western migration of Monarch butterflies is not completely understood, and the population has decreased over 90%.  This new known habitat may be a prime steppingstone for their migration and this new data will help the Forest Service better plan and implement projects to expand habitat for monarch butterflies and other pollinators and wildlife that share this habitat.

Fifth instar monarch caterpillar 2018

---

Kris Elsbree is the crew leader for Wallama Restoration Project, hails from upstate New York.  In his early days, Kris worked to create and maintain George V Vanderbilt Park.  Chris attended Lane Community College and was President of the Lane Community College Learning Garden.  Working with Walama since 2008, Kris excels in the leadership skills and field knowledge necessary to guide the crew an land contracts.

---

Rigdon Monarchs & Meadows: Monarchs in Rigdon

---

Guest Blogger: Tanya Harvey

---

Below is an excerpt from Tanya Harvey’s blog, follow the link to read the full article: A Week of Monarchs and Milkweed: Day 1 . Banner photo courtesy of Tanya Harvey.

Monarchs in Rigdon

Photo credit: Tanya Harvey. Female monarch nectaring on milkweed.

“We decided to access the area via an old road off of Road 2135, just past Big Pine Opening. A short bushwhack off the old road took us up to the south and lower end of the meadow complex (although we found an easier route back through more open woods on the way back). It only took a few minutes for us to spot the first monarch and the first caterpillar. Almost a week from when Sabine and I saw eggs at Monarch Meadow, it was about the right time for the eggs to start hatching.

We set about counting eggs, caterpillars, and adults in each opening. Crystal kept a count and recorded information about habitat while I took photos and put together a preliminary plant list. At this point in the year and less than 3000′ of elevation, most things were dried out, and even the milkweed was mostly beginning to go to seed, so I’m sure there will be many more plants to add to the list that we didn’t spot that day. What we did see looked pretty much the same as what was growing in Monarch Meadow, with the exception of a population of field pussytoes (Antennaria howellii), a species I’ve seen much higher up near Balm Mountain (see Another Exciting Day in the Calapooyas: The Sequel) and in one higher elevation spot in Douglas County.”

---

Tanya Harvey is an amateur botanist and gardener who has been in love with plants as long as she can remember. Officially, she’s an artist, craftsperson, and designer (check out her work at tanyaharveydesign.com).

With the Western Cascades as her backyard, she spend as much time as she can botanizing the Western Cascades and, in the interests of science, conservation, and beauty, she shares what she learns through her website (westerncascades.com).

Tanya is also a member of the Oregon Native Pant Society and the North American Butterfly Association and co-author of the Oregon Flora Volume 2.

---

Rigdon Monarchs & Meadows: Meadows in Rigdon

---

Guest Blogger: Tanya Harvey

---

Below is an excerpt from Tanya Harvey’s blog, follow the link to read the full article: Further Rigdon Area Meadow Exploration. Banner photo courtesy of Tanya Harvey.

Meadows in Rigdon

Photo credit: Tanya Harvey. Mating fritillaries on mock orange. Checkerspots, Lorquin’s admirals, and a pale swallowtail also took advantage of the abundant nectar, while I enjoyed the heady fragrance.

“I headed up the steep slope and through the woods to locate the waypoint Crystal had given me. I was not very hopeful as I really couldn’t imagine that there were any appropriate openings. But then I found the little sunny spot with some outcrop at the base, and there was the milkweed! It was only about a half-acre, but it had several fully blooming mock orange (Philadelphus lewisii) shrubs at the base of the rocks, attracting many butterflies and other insects.

While there weren’t very many large milkweed plants, a thorough survey totaled 37 plants, including 7 seedlings. Hard to imagine but it appeared that this population was expanding. I knew this species like shadier edges of rocky meadows, but I never imagined it could survive in such a small sunny spot. What really surprised me was that I found 2 monarch eggs and one (sadly) dead caterpillar on the ground beneath a milkweed plant. How did they find such a small population in such a small opening?! I’m calling this little spot Crystal’s Glade, and I definitely plan to revisit it in the future to see how the population is doing.”

---

Tanya Harvey is an amateur botanist and gardener who has been in love with plants as long as she can remember. Officially, she’s an artist, craftsperson, and designer (check out her work at tanyaharveydesign.com).

With the Western Cascades as her backyard, she spend as much time as she can botanizing the Western Cascades and, in the interests of science, conservation, and beauty, she shares what she learns through her website (westerncascades.com).

Tanya is also a member of the Oregon Native Pant Society and the North American Butterfly Association and co-author of the Oregon Flora Volume 2.

---