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# ## Natural Resource Crew Protects Rare, Native Oak Habitat in Eugene The City's Natural Resource Maintenance (NRM) Program has mapped and counted native Oregon white oak, California black oak and fir populations in the Ridgeline Park system. The goal of this project is to identify significant native oak populations and to protect these populations by removing the invasive firs that threaten this habitat type. Grasses and small stands of oaks once covered the hills around Eugene, but, today, these oak savannas have become increasingly rare due to changing land management practices, such as logging, grazing, mowing, and the suppression of fire. Without periodic fires, oaks are being overtaken by quick - growing and fire - intolerant Douglas firs. The NRM crew will remove small firs during fall 2003, allowing oaks and plants native to oak savannas the opportunity to regenerate and space to flourish. Promoting oak savannas will protect a globally endangered habitat and help restore a wide variety of species, such as the western grey squirrel, which is now listed by the state as a "sensitive" species. "We recognize that these populations of oaks in the park system are special, and they need to be protected by controlling invasive species," says Jesse Cary- Hobbs, parks natural resource maintenance specialist. The NRM program manages and cares for undeveloped parks and natural areas around the city. Their work includes maintaining trail systems, protecting sensitive and rare plant communities, and coordinating the restoration of Eugene's wetlands and river banks. For more information about oak species preservation, call Parks and Open Space natural resource staff Cary-Hobbs at 682 -4828 or Trevor Taylor at 682 -4880. # ## Natural Area in Alton Baker Park to be Enhanced with the Help of Grant Parks and Open Space recently received a two -year, $71,000 matching grant from the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife to further enhance the Whilamut Natural Area of Alton Baker Park, over 230 acres in the eastern section of the park dedicated to the preservation of natural resources, low- impact recreation and wildlife habitat. Matching funds are primarily comprised of existing Parks and Open Space staff resources. Funds from this grant will help develop a habitat restoration plan for the natural area; remove existing invasive, non - native vegetation; plant and monitor new native species along the Willamette River and in the adjacent upland prairie; and create educational signage. The grant will build on previous riparian restoration projects that Eugene Stream Team volunteers have undertaken in the park, such as removing blackberries and planting native plants. Stream Team volunteers have been invited to plant native tree species along the river bank as part of the next phase of restoration in the natural area. 1 "The invasive blackberries at the water's edge provide limited habitat value," says Carolyn Weiss, parks planner. "The diversity of a restored native riparian environment will greatly improve the quality of wildlife habitat." For more information about the grant