Gaining Ground Work Party In Hendricks Park this Saturday

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, / ~ ~ January 17, 002 CONTACT: Michael Robert, Head Gardener,682-5324 John Moriarty, Forest Management Plan Coordinator, 682-5324 From Public nformation Section, 682-2739 FOR IMMED ATE RELEASE GAI ING GROUND WORK PARTY IN HENDRICKS PARK THIS SATURDAY ' Volu teers will gather this Saturday for the third "Gaining Ground" day at Hendricks Park fn Eugene. eighbors and community members from throughout the city are invited to help remove Eng ish ivy from forested areas of the park as the first step in ecosystem restoration. Saturday's v lunteer party will build on the success of our first two Gaining Ground days in I~ November a d December, and last summer's Free the Trees days when volunteers cleared ivy from about nacres of forest trees. Volunteers will meet at 9:30 am at the F.M. Wilkins Picnic Shelter on ummit Avenue in the park and work until 1:00 pm. Engl sh ivy is identified in the Hendricks Park Forest Management Plan as one of the + most dams ing elements in the native forest ecosystem. Ivy was introduced into the area as far back as he early 1920s. It grows rapidly and spreads across the forest floor, squeezing out the native v getation that is essential for wildlife. It is already included on the Oregon Departmen of Agriculture's (ODA) "Noxious Weed List." Last week the ODA held a public hearing to nsider placing English ivy under quarantine. Such a listing would prohibit the sale, transport, lanting or propagation of the plant within Oregon. i 1 Wit the winter rains, we can take advantage of the colder months to remove ivy from the soil be re native perennial and annual plants emerge in the spring. This month's Gaining Ground da is the third of four planned for the winter of 2001 and 2002. Come join the fun and help resto the native forest in Hendricks Park. Wear warm layers and rain gear, boots and ' gloves. W 'll provide the tools and Eugene City Bakery will provide pastries, muffins and other baked go s. (more)