An Oregon silverspot butterfly
Pelican Pub & Brewery, in conjunction with Woodland Park Zoo and other conservation partners, joined to craft the new Silverspot IPA that not only delivers a great taste, but supports an important conservation mission.
The new Silverspot IPA label. Copyright Pelican Pub & Brewery.
The Silverspot IPA was created by Pelican brew masters to celebrate the population augmentation of the threatened Oregon silverspot butterfly in its native grassland habitat. The silverspot was once abundant along the coasts of Washington, Oregon and California until determined threatened in 1980. The loss of habitat and early blue violets – a vital food source for the butterfly – had a detrimental impact on the silverspot population.
The Oregon Silverspot Captive Rearing Program is a collaborative habitat restoration and augmentation program helping to increase the silverspot population. Program partners, including Woodland Park Zoo, raise caterpillars in captivity until they become pupae and eventually emerge from the pupae as butterflies. They are then released into protected areas along the Oregon Coast in an ongoing effort to increase the population. One of the protected areas is Cascade Head, visible from the deck of Pelican Pub & Brewery.
“In August, Woodland Park Zoo released more than a thousand silverspot butterflies back into their natural habitat along the Oregon coast,” said Erin Sullivan, a collection manager at the zoo. “It’s a very important conservation initiative to us, and we’re thrilled Pelican joined us and our partners to help raise awareness and support for the silverspot population.”
Pelican brew masters selected the blend of Sterling, Fuggle and Meridian hops to deliver an herbal, floral, spicy and tangerine-like flavor for the six percent abv English-Style IPA. Silverspot IPA is the sixth addition to Pelican’s core lineup, making it available year round and distributed by the bottle throughout the Northwest.
“To us, this seemed like a natural partnership,” said Ken Henson, Pelican Pub & Brewery general manager. “We have been waiting for an opportunity to produce an English style IPA, which will be a little more accessible to the average beer drinker. We’re excited about the cross-promotional opportunity and for the public awareness of the Oregon silverspot.”
The new brew will be available in Seattle the first week of October at select PCC Natural Markets, Whole Foods and QFC locations for $4.99 per 22 oz. bottle. For a full list of retailers, visit www.zoo.org/silverspot. A portion of the proceeds from the sale of this beer will help fund conservation efforts for the Oregon silverspot butterfly.
Silverspot IPA will be flowing at the Pelican Pub & Brewery booth during Woodland Park Zoo’s Brew at the Zoo presented by Union Bank on Thursday, October 4, 5:30-8:30 p.m. Beer enthusiasts may sample the new herbal IPA while learning more about the ongoing initiatives of the Oregon Silverspot Captive Rearing Program.
Woodland Park Zoo staff release silverspot catepillars in Cascade Head, Oregon. Copyright Ryan Hawk, Woodland Park Zoo.
The Oregon Silverspot Captive Rearing Program recently earned a Significant Achievement Award from the Association of Zoos & Aquariums, the accrediting organization for more than 200 zoos and aquariums in North America.
To learn more about the Pelican Pub & Brewery Silverspot IPA, Oregon Silverspot Captive Rearing Program or its conservation partners, visit www.zoo.org/silverpot.
CONSERVATION PARTNERS
Oregon Silverspot butterfly recovery partners include Woodland Park Zoo, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, Oregon Zoo, The Nature Conservancy, Xerces Society, Lewis and Clark College, U.S. Forest Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Siuslaw National Forest, Oregon Coast National Wildlife Refuge Complex, Willapa National Wildlife Refuge, Long Beach Washington, National Park Service Lewis and Clark National Historical Park, Natural Resources Conservation Service, USFWS Field Offices, Oregon State Parks, Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, Oregon Military Department Camp Rilea, Oregon Department of Transportation, Oregon Coast Aquarium, North Coast Land Conservancy, Audubon Tenmile Creek Sanctuary, Mid-Coast Watershed Council, Safe Harbor Landowner Participants, Portland State University, Oregon State University, Institute of Applied Ecology, and Celata Research Associates.
