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Mr. Burke noted that Nearby Nature had done amazing work in the WNA. He had a background in ecolo- <br />gy, botany and anthropology and had viewed almost all of the tributaries of the Willamette and most of the <br />�r Willamette looking for understory riparian native vegetation. There was very little left. However, there <br />were a few areas where this vegetation remained, such as Mt. Pisgah, parts of Alton Baker Park, Elijah <br />Bristow State Park, and Dorris Ranch. The biggest chunk of riparian forest had been where the Santiam <br />and the Luckiamute came together. In this area today, nothing native remained. Therefore, the native <br />vegetation that remained in the Whilamut Natural Area of Alton Baker Park was very special because it <br />existed, and was located in the core of the community. He thought it important to make an area that was <br />contiguously kept clear of invasive plants and that had thriving native plants, such as Wildflower Hollow <br />and the prairie that was being restored by Walama Restoration. These areas provided good educational <br />opportunities. Eastgate Woodlands had "huge" potential. In this area, ETF's priority was getting ivy in its <br />reproductive stage off the trees. Wildflowers were surviving, especially in areas where ivy had been re- <br />moved for a long period of time. The idea was to work from I -5 east, avoiding wildflowers. <br />Ms. Behm asked if ETF was focusing on preserving or enhancing existing trees rather than planting. <br />Mr. Burke did not believe ivy hurt trees as much as some thought it did. However, once ivy reached its <br />reproductive stage, it spread rapidly. Also, ivy was somewhat easy to remove. <br />Ms. Behm asked what ETF would do in the Eastgate area. <br />Mr. Burke said that ETF planned to remove ivy on the ground in the area, in addition to a few other inva- <br />sive plants. In Eugene's part of the WNA, ETF and Nearby Nature had discussed a group project with the <br />City of Eugene to focus on the steepest part of the slope. ETF was currently focusing on the top of the <br />bank. Nearby Nature was working on the bottom. ETF hoped to finish clearing the area, and continue its <br />(W maintenance over the years. <br />Ms. Mello asked if ETF was using mostly volunteers. She asked if the paid positions at ETF would have <br />an impact on the work ETF was doing. <br />Mr. Burke said that ETF staff were volunteer coordinators, and ETF projects were almost all- volunteer. <br />Mr. Sonnichsen asked who was getting paid, and by whom. <br />Mr. Burke said that he had a 0.3 FTE paid position, which started a couple of months ago. However, he <br />worked more than 40 hours per week. The ETF paid him. <br />Ms. Behm asked if ETF was changing its name to Friends of Trees South because it was doing work out- <br />side of Eugene. <br />Mr. Burke said that ETF was changing its name because it was doing work outside of Eugene, and wanted <br />to become a Friends of Trees chapter. The agency would work throughout the southern Willamette Valley, <br />focusing on urban areas. <br />Ms. Brand asked if ETF's work competed with the work the Northwest Youth Corps was doing. <br />Mr. Burke said he would not want to compete with anyone. The City of Eugene had just spent $13,000 for <br />contractors to work in the area by Nearby Nature. He had met with staff to discuss how to balance work- <br />ing with groups already working in areas, and making ETF's work complementary. It made sense to use <br />A <br />MINUTES— Citizen Planning Committee for the April 21, 2011 Page 3 <br />Whilamut Natural Area <br />