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NEWS RELEASE - EASTSIDE RESTORES AMAZON PAGE 2 November 14, 2002 "What makes this project different is that it connects our kids to the land in this particular place where they can have a relationship with nature on a day-to-day basis, and it gives them the feeling that they can make a difference." One out of every eight plant species on earth is now in danger, nearly 5,000 in the U.S. alone, and over 176 in Lane County. Especially severe in urban areas, the loss of native plants also means the loss of the many animal species which depend on them for food and shelter. Worldwide, biodiversity is now being lost at a rate at least 100 times faster than ever before. "One of the plants we are planting, Showy Milkweed, is on the Rare and Endangered list of the Emerald Chapter of the Native Plant Society of Oregon. This plant is the only locally native food plant for Monarch butterflies. Some of our other plants serve as host and nectar plants for other butterflies. So this project can also help to restore local butterfly populations," said Eastside Teacher Karen Hansen,who teaches a „,, butterfly project class. "The beginning of the fall rainy season is the best time to plant native plants, because then they can grow roots through the winter and early spring which will help them survive the dry summer,” said Sharon Blick, Eastside parent and project coordinator, "But to ensure their survival, we will be watering them every two weeks from next May to October." To further improve the plants' chances of survival and to make planting easier, parents and other volunteers have already cleared the competing plants from 315 square feet of meadow. They will meet again on Saturday,November 16 from 9:30 to noon to finish cultivating the soil to make planting easier. After planting, the area will be mulched with leaves to keep weeds from competing with the new plants for water and nutrients. L