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Governor Ted Kulongoski; Russ Hoeflick, State Director, The Nature <br /> Conservancy; Elaine Marquis - Brong, State Director, U.S. Bureau of Land <br /> Management; and Steve Wright, Administrator, Bonneville Power <br /> Administration (BPA). <br /> "The West Eugene Wetlands Partnership has proven what can be <br /> accomplished if we pool our resources and work together," said Mayor <br /> Torrey in his address. The newly acquired land, formerly owned by <br /> private landowner, Randy Cuddeback, will connect West Eugene <br /> Wetlands sites to the north to the Willow Creek site to the south, <br /> significantly expanding the north -south corridor, improving wildlife habitat, <br /> and bringing the grand total of natural area owned and managed by the <br /> West Eugene Wetlands Partnership to close to 3,000 acres. <br /> The Willow Creek Natural Area supports Willow Creek, which flows <br /> through the property, and a diverse array of flora and fauna including over <br /> 200 species of native plants, 100 birds and 25 butterflies. Protection and <br /> management of the site will benefit water quality and populations of six at- <br /> risk species, including four species listed under the federal Endangered <br /> Species Act. For more information about Willow Creek Natural Area or <br /> the greater West Eugene Wetlands, contact Wetlands Program <br /> Supervisor Eric Wold at 682 -4888. <br /> # ## <br /> New parking structure improves access to Meadowlark Prairie, Fern <br /> Ridge Path <br /> Public access to the west Eugene wetlands was improved this fall with <br /> the completion of a new parking facility located along Amazon Creek off <br /> Royal Avenue. Checkermallow Access connects directly to the Fern <br /> Ridge Path and the recently restored 400 -acre Meadowlark Prairie, <br /> providing spaces for 14 vehicles and a bus, as well as bicycle racks, for <br /> walkers, bicyclists, nature observers, and other visitors to this popular <br /> natural area. The facility augments the existing public access to this <br /> area, which includes restrooms, picnic tables and additional parking at <br /> Meadowlark Prairie Overlook at the end of the recently extended bike <br /> path. The name "checkermallow" refers to a pink native wildflower <br /> common in wet prairies, such as the west Eugene wetlands, and that is <br /> an important source of food for butterflies. <br /> Checkermallow Access is the latest in a series of recreational, interpretive <br /> and wetland restoration projects that have been completed by the West <br /> Eugene Wetlands Partnership near Meadowlark Prairie. Eight signs that <br /> interpret the natural, cultural and hydrological history of the site were <br /> installed this fall along the Fern Ridge Path. These signs give path users <br /> an understanding of the wetland ecosystem, the site's land use history, <br /> and management techniques used by the West Eugene Wetlands <br /> 4 Partnership. In addition, the wetlands at Meadowlark Prairie were <br /> enhanced this fall with the planting of more than 15,000 native flowering <br /> 4 plants and grasses. These plants were planted near viewing areas, <br /> promising a brilliant wildflower display this spring for users of the Fern <br /> Ridge path. Furthermore, over 4,000 native trees and shrubs were <br /> 4 <br /> 4 <br />