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COOPERATIVE VENTURE OF CASCADES RAPTOR CARE CENTER, LANE COUNTY <br /> AUDUBON SOCIETY, AND THE CITY OF EUGENE <br /> WHAT - <br /> Cascades Raptor Care Center (CRCC) and Lane County Audubon Society (LCAS) have <br /> joined in a cooperative venture to create a nature /interpretive and raptor rehabilitation <br /> center for the benefit of the community, in partnership with, inasmuch as it is <br /> • proposed to be on property owned by, the City of Eugene and in the City's Master <br /> Plan to be developed as a nature /interpretive center. Such an interpretive center will <br /> also provide other local organizations such as the Native Plant Society, Nearby Nature, <br /> Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife, and US Forest Service with exhibit, classroom, <br /> and meeting space and the opportunity to be involved in its develoopment. <br /> WHY - <br /> The advantages to CRCC of such a cooperative venture are (1) access to property and <br /> buildings appropriate. for such use, so located as to provide easy access for school <br /> field trips, family outings, and other community use; (2) said property adjoins <br /> undeveloped park land allowing for excellent habitat for display birds and broader <br /> recreational opportunities for visitors; (3) access to the broad base of experience and <br /> input represented by Audubon's board and membership; (4) the addition of Audubon's <br /> name and long- standing reputation may have some fund - raising advantages, especially <br /> on a national or regional level. <br /> The advantages to LCAS are (1) having a new arena of involvement for members <br /> interested in hands -on volunteer opportunities; (2) having a tangible project around <br /> which to raise funds and expand membership, which could then develop into a <br /> stronger membership/ funding base for LCAS; (3) involvement in a project with strong <br /> community benefit. <br /> The advantages to the City of Eugene are (1) fulfilling, at little cost to itself, the <br /> mandates of the Master Plan; (2) partnership in a venture with strong recreational, <br /> educational, and community service benefit; (3) development of a fringe area of <br /> Ridgeline Park in such a way as to enhance overall use of the Park. <br /> HOW - <br /> Proposed structure of cooperative venture: <br /> Representatives from LCAS Board of Directors, a City of Eugene representative, <br /> and selected other citizens such as veterinarians, educators, citizens of public stature, <br /> to form ADVISORY BOARD (see enclosed list of current members) <br /> CRCC's Board of Directors to be GOVERNING BOARD responsible for managing <br />