October 2003 News Coverage - Laserfiche WebLink

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(4611 pin - - reiea5C EUGENE October 31, 2003 CONTACT: • Robin Hostick, Parks and Open Space Planner, 682-4915 • Troy Kreger, Volunteers in Parks Coordinator, 682-4845 • Therese Picado, Parks and Open Space Public Information Specialist, 682-4814 or 682- 4800 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Volunteer Efforts Aimed at Restoring Habitat, Views and Trails on Skinner Butte On November 1, from 8 a.m. to noon, City of Eugene Parks and Open Space Division staff, in conjunction with volunteers from the Eugene Rotary Club, will restore native upland prairie habitat on the west slope of the butte, recover views from the butte summit by removing several trees, and repair a large segment of the summit loop trail to improve accessibility. The effort is guided by the Skinner Butte Park Master Plan adopted in 2002. The park's master plan calls for the restoration and long-term preservation of popular, historically significant views from the summit of Skinner Butte, native upland prairie habitat that once covered nearly all of Skinner Butte, and trails. Public input gathered during the development of the master plan showed that views from Skinner Butte are important for the identity of the community, but that a balanced approach should be taken to restore and protect them. The plan outlines a unique, objective strategy for documenting views and setting clear guidelines for restoring views while protecting forested areas. Native prairie is now a highly endangered habitat type in the Willamette Valley, with less than one percent of the original habitat remaining. On Skinner Butte, most upland prairie has been lost to the encroachment of trees and invasive plant species, like Himalayan blackberry. Since the few, small areas of prairie habitat remaining on the butte are located where views are still present, the objectives of view restoration and habitat restoration can be combined. y Trail restoration efforts are also a high priority identified by the master plan. Rotary (more)