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TheNature <br />Conservancy f /D <br />!WMO THE LAST MAT VLACEJ ON EARTII <br />The Nature Conservancy in Oregon <br />821 SE 14th Avenue <br />Portland OR 97214 <br />Oregon State Parks: Local Government Grant Program <br />725 Summer St. NE, Suite C <br />Salem OR 97301 <br />Re: Support for the Green Property Acquisition, City of Eugene <br />Dear Ms. Scalise and whomever else it may concern, <br />tel 503 802 -8100 <br />lax 503 802 -8199 <br />nature.org /oregon <br />April 4, 2008 <br />The Nature Conservancy would like to voice its strong support for the City of Eugene's proposal to <br />acquire the 40 acre Green Property in the headwaters of Amazon Creek using a diverse mix of funding <br />including city, private and regional funding sources. <br />As you may know, The Nature Conservancy, the City of Eugene and the Bureau of Land Management <br />have been leading a remarkable partnership effort since 1980 to advance conservation efforts in Eugene. <br />Together with many other public and private partners we have protected important natural resources <br />through programs including the West Eugene Wetlands Program, Parks and Open Spaces Bond <br />Initiatives, and regional parks and open spaces planning efforts as well as The Nature Conservancy's <br />own Willow Creek Natural Area. These efforts have helped to create a "win -win" situation in which <br />regional economic development can move forward, carefully balanced with the need to protect the most <br />important examples of our natural legacy and the ecological services provided by the areas wetlands, <br />prairie and forest. <br />More recently many of the same partners have teamed up to develop the rivers to ridges concept and <br />work together to build an important recreational and ecological resource along the West Eugene <br />Ridgeline. When completed, this 14 mile long network of parks, natural areas and easements will create <br />a wonderful asset for the citizens of Eugene and in fact all Oregonians, that provides wildlife habitat, <br />water quality protection, easily accessed recreation and excellent outreach and education opportunities <br />for users in a range of social and economic conditions. <br />If this property is not successfully acquired it is certain to be developed for suburban residential <br />development. Such development of this key parcel is likely in turn to spur others in the area to choose <br />that land -use over more ecologically sustainable choices. <br />The Nature Conservancy has specifically identified the West Eugene - Spencer Creek area as one of our <br />highest priorities for conservation work in the Willamette Valley. Acquisition of this particular parcel <br />will not only help protect the headwaters of Amazon Creek, but help protect examples of several rare <br />species, mature Douglas fir forest and Oregon white oak woodland. Furthermore, by expanding the <br />contiguous area in conservation management in the West Eugene Area, this project will help enhance <br />the long -term viability of conservation work already completed in this important area. <br />If you have questions about The Conservancy's support for this proposal, please call. <br />Sincerely, <br />�V\O <br />Jonathan Soll <br />Willamette Basin Conservation Director <br />