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�iw '.A i - — �v -i►- 4P-7-1I % <br /> EUGENE Nem ■ sirs A Jew, rill WV Iv11111111111LAILAL A IL..111111.- 41111111111111-111111111 AL 7-4JIL=IIIIL:7411111111111 <br /> December 11, 2002 <br /> CONTACT: <br /> • Michael Robert or John Moriarty, Hendricks Park, 682-5324 <br /> • Therese M. Picado, Parks and Open Space Public Information Specialist, 682-4814 or <br /> 682-4800, therese.m.picado@ci.eugene.or.us <br /> FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE <br /> VOLUNTEERS WILL "GAIN GROUND" IN HENDRICKS PARK FOREST THIS SATURDAY <br /> Thanks to the rains, the soil has loosened and Hendricks Park staff and volunteers from <br /> the community can work on "Gaining Ground" this Saturday, December 14, as they remove ivy <br /> from the park's forest floor at the season's second ivy removal work party, from 9:30 a.m. to 1 <br /> p.m. Interested volunteers should meet at the F.M. Wilkins Shelter at 2200 Summit Avenue for <br /> work instructions and equipment. <br /> Ivy will be removed while protecting the delicate native plants on the forest floor in a <br /> series of work parties this winter. "We need to focus on getting as much ivy removed as <br /> possible before the native bulbs and perennials begin to emerge in the spring," says Hendricks <br /> Park Head Gardener Michael Robert. <br /> Ivy and other invasive plant removal was identified as a priority in the Hendricks Park <br /> Forest Management Plan, accepted by the City Council in January 2000. English ivy is a non- <br /> native, invasive plant that last winter was officially quarantined by the Oregon Department of <br /> Agriculture to prevent its sale and propagation in the state. In Hendricks Park, ivy causes <br /> damage to the native forest ecosystem by developing into a dense ground cover that prevents <br /> native plants from growing. The loss of native plants reduces the habitat for animals and <br /> insects that depend on the natural forest ecosystem. When ivy grows up the trunks of trees, it <br /> produce seeds, allowing it to spread even further and cause more damage in other parts of the <br /> forest. Over the last two summers, nearly all the ivy on trees and over five acres of ivy on the <br /> forest floor have been cleared in the park. <br /> Volunteers are asked to wear long sleeves, pants and sturdy shoes, and bring water. <br /> Tools will be available on site. Two other ivy removal work parties are scheduled for January <br /> 11 and February 8. For more information, call 682-5324. <br /> ### <br />