Oregon Field Guide — Burrowing Shrimp, Train Mountain, Taylor's Checkerspot Butterfly

Episode 1706

Burrowing Shrimp: There may be as many as a billion burrowing shrimp in the 900 acres of tide flats at Yaquina Bay. But scientists studying the creature and the role it plays in tempering pollution believe that more than 50 percent of its population may be infected with a lethal parasite. The parasite, which may have arrived relatively recently in the holds of cargo ships from China, reduces the shrimp's capacity for reproduction.; Read More and Watch this story

Train Mountain: 18 years ago in Chiloquin, Oregon, Quenten Breen began construction on Train Mountain, a place where grown men could go to ride small trains. Today, over 24 miles of track lies in this scenic countryside, making the Guinness Book of World Records' longest hobby railroad in the world. See some of the meticulous reproductions, one-eighth the size of normal trains, and learn what future plans are for in store for this railroad fantasy land.; Read More and Watch this story

Taylor's Checkerspot Butterfly: A small park in Benton County is home to the largest population of one of the rarest butterflies in the world. Until recently little was known about the Taylor's Checkerspot butterfly, but studies now confirm their numbers are declining. They need a specialized prairie meadow habitat to survive and that habitat is disappearing. See how the Oregon Zoo and some private landowners are trying to bring hope to the survival of this beautiful creature.; Read More and Watch this story