Volunteers Save Endangered Butterfly at Marina Dunes

After days of rain, volunteers gathered under Saturday sun at Marina Dunes Preserve to do something rare: restore nature while saving an endangered species at the same time.

Russ Davidson of Pacific Grove dropped to his knees to plant dune buckwheat, one of dozens of volunteers giving their weekend to the Habitat Stewardship Project. "I love the coastal ecosystem, and I'm excited to help out and restore some of the area," he said, brushing sand from his hands.

The work matters more than most realize. These native plants provide the only safe habitat for the endangered Smith's blue butterfly to lay its eggs.

Project manager Samuel Anaya explained that species like dune buckwheat, beach evening primrose, and coastal sagewort do double duty. "These native plants hold the dunes together and provide food and shelter," he said.

The plants start their journey in a greenhouse at Cal State Monterey Bay before volunteers transplant them across the region. While planting natives, volunteers also rip out invasive ice plants that crowd out the ecosystem.

The Ripple Effect

What started as a simple restoration program has become a gateway for families to connect with their local environment. CSUMB student Kiana Lachan sees the educational value firsthand at each planting event.

"This is a really cool event for kids to see how restoration happens in their community," she said. She wants children to understand what makes Monterey Bay special: "This is a really unique area ecologically, and it's so cool."

The program proves that environmental wins don't require massive budgets or government mandates. Sometimes progress happens one native plant at a time, planted by neighbors who care.

The next planting events happen Saturday, February 28, at Fort Ord National Monument and Moss Landing State Beach, where more volunteers will show up to give endangered butterflies a fighting chance.