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"During the past two years, a concerted effort has been underway Volunteers from Edison Elementary pull weeds <br /> to remove English ivy as part of a comprehensive forest and spread wood chips. <br /> restoration <br /> program in the park," explained John Moriarty, Hendricks Park Forest Management Plan Coordinator. "Once the ivy is <br /> -"" removed, we have to protect the cleared areas from other invasive plants which move in. These volunteers will help us <br /> stay ahead of the weeds." <br /> Earth Share of Oregon, formerly Environmental Federation of Oregon, raises funds for 68 environmental groups and is <br /> dedicated to providing a convenient way for Oregonians to support groups working for the environment. The group <br /> spearheads fundraising campaigns at area businesses in the fall. "This project is a reminder that there are many ways to <br /> give,"said local Earth Share representative Lucy Vinis. "Getting out on a spring day to a beautiful community park is a <br /> way to have fun and feel the satisfaction of knowing that one person in muddy boots can make a difference." <br /> Organizers of the Edison-Friends of Hendricks Park project see this as the beginning of a long-term education and <br /> service relationship. An educational session in the classroom, followed by another work party, is planned for this fall. <br /> For more information about these work parties, contact Hendricks Parks staff Moriarty or Michael Robert at 682-5324. <br /> Natural Resource Crew Protects Rare, Native Oak Habitat in Eugene <br /> The City's Natural Resource Maintenance (NRM) Program has <br /> mapped and counted native Oregon white oak, California black oak <br /> and fir populations in the Ridgeline Park system. The goal of this <br /> project is to identify significant native oak populations and to protect <br /> tir - ,,:, these populations by removing the invasive firs that threaten this <br /> .,# ,1 rr ,-� habitat type. Grasses and small stands of oaks once covered the <br /> irk hills around Eugene, but today, these oak savannas have become <br /> S 'tri P . increasingly rare due to changing land management practices such <br /> law + .: as logging, grazing, mowing, and the suppression of fire. Without <br /> Ilk. '. periodic fires, oaks are being overtaken by quick-growing and fire- <br /> a ..-46---;: '',-*•-/-` .-/-.. intolerant Douglas firs. <br /> The NRM crew will remove small firs during Fall 2003, giving oaks <br /> and plants native to oak savannas the opportunity to regenerate and <br /> space to flourish. Promoting oak savannas will protect a globally endangered habitat and help restore a wide variety of <br /> species, such as the western grey squirrel, which is now listed by the state as a "sensitive" species. <br /> "We recognize that these populations of oaks in the park system are special, and they need to be protected by controlling <br /> invasive species,"says Jesse Cary-Hobbs, a parks natural resource maintenance specialist. <br /> The NRM program manages and cares for undeveloped parks and natural areas around the city. Its work includes <br /> maintaining trail systems, protecting sensitive and rare plant communities, and coordinating the restoration of Eugene's <br /> wetlands and river banks. For more information about oak species preservation, call Parks and Open Space natural <br /> resource staff Cary-Hobbs at 682-4828 or Trevor Taylor at 682-4880. <br /> Park Amenities are Up and Running for Spring and Summer <br /> Parks crews are ushering in the busy spring and summer season in Eugene's parks with a variety of park maintenance <br /> activities. All park restrooms are now open during regular park hours (6 a.m. to 11 p.m.), and all drinking fountains have <br /> been turned on. In addition, water has been turned on at all the community gardens as gardeners begin to cultivate their <br /> plots, and all park irrigation systems are being assessed and repaired if necessary, in anticipation of warmer, drier <br /> weather. Finally, a new and larger flag will wave at the top of Skinner Butte by mid-May. <br /> During the busy season, two Park Amenities staff will service riverfront parks from 3 to 11:30 p.m., Tuesday through <br /> Saturday. The swing shift staff members are available to clean and lock park restrooms when the parks close and <br /> provide after-hours public service for park rentals and facility maintenance. This expanded coverage was piloted last <br /> year and proved to be very effective in reducing illegal activity in the parks, such as vandalism, graffiti and illegal <br /> camping. For more information, contact Park Amenities Supervisor Eric Johnson at 682-4904 or Turf and Grounds <br /> Supervisor John Clark at 682-4826. <br /> EUGENE CITY COUNCIL NEWSLETTER PAGE 3 <br />