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information on the activities of the partners to enable BLM staff to articulate those needs. She <br /> emphasized the need to stay the on topic of education and restoration of threatened and endangered (T <br /> and E) species habitat from the BLM perspective, noting those interests fit in with many of the overall <br /> objectives of the WET. She expressed an interest in coordination efforts for weed management. <br /> Mr. Corey said looking at the boundary of the group's focus would address concerns raised. He added the <br /> Rivers to Ridges boundary could become an expanded focus area that involved most of the same players. <br /> Mr. Soll asked if the suggestions met the needs identified earlier by Ms. Erickson, and if by increasing the <br /> geography more land and issues would be included in the issues brought to the group and accomplished <br /> what she was hoping for. <br /> Ms. Erickson said an expanded geography that included areas the current partners were already working <br /> on made sense for her organization. She was willing to have more meetings if they provided an <br /> opportunity to stay connected. She thought the charge was more relevant than the structure, and it was <br /> necessary to provide time to discuss issues of importance to all of the partners. <br /> VI. DISCUSSION: What Is The Next Step? How Can Staff Support The Next Step? <br /> Mr. Soll said The Nature Conservancy staff were fully empowered to work on savannah and oak <br /> woodlands issues. He noted those present were interested in formally recognizing that the group was <br /> doing more than it used to, liked doing the work and wanted to continue the work. There was no sense of <br /> retracting and refocusing the group's efforts on the smaller geography and more limited ecology. It <br /> seemed meeting more often was necessary. Additionally, there were people not at the table, including <br /> Lane County, City of Springfield, Willamalane Parks and Recreation, and others, who could or could not <br /> be part of the group. Having functioning working groups was import. Inviting new people and setting <br /> aside some time could re- energize the acquisition group. He suggested having staff work out the details <br /> on what made sense for direction from the management group. He asked that WREN lead the outreach <br /> and education focus. <br /> Mr. Shippey stated WREN saw itself as a regional facility and Mr. Soll's suggestion fit in with the larger <br /> vision for WREN and the education center. He concurred that minor tweaking on the Statement of <br /> Partnership could expand it while providing flexibility and the structure to seek the direction addressed by <br /> Mr. Taylor. There would be a benefit to meeting more frequently as long as the meetings had a policy <br /> task or the need to provide direction for specific issues such as the farmland trust identified by Ms. <br /> Erickson. <br /> Mr. Soll noted that Ms. Erickson had identified clear messaging in dealing with land owners as a <br /> downside of lack of coordination, and asked what would enable better coordination. <br /> Ms. Erickson said it was important to keep the group of participants small enough to remain efficient and <br /> get things done, and she was looking for a forum to accomplish that. <br /> Mr. Soll asked if there was agreement to meet within the next three months towards the next step of the <br /> process. There was consensus to meet again in early December. <br /> Mr. Corey said the framework was in place to accomplish that, adding a multi -year work plan would be <br /> beneficial. The existing planning efforts provided the basis for providing direction and there was broad <br /> general framework for the group to move forward. <br /> MINUTES— Wetland Executive Team September 4, 2008 Page 6 <br />