Wetlands - Laserfiche WebLink

New Search

,r In 1993, the United Front Federal lobby agenda included a $150,000 request for planning funds for an interpretive center. Senator Hatfield advised us to concentrate on the land acquisition program, work the center idea locally for support, and to pursue the center once the land base was better secured. Steve Gordon feels we have followed his. advice. The~eriod from 1992 through 1999 During the time from the approval of the plan and the Interpretive Center Report until 1999, a number of research and education related activities occurred. Examples include the City's stormwater curriculum, establishment of Stream Team, numerous published articles and research, and many organized events. Most of these are documented in the Annual Reports published by LCOG. However, there was no formal workgroup established to work towards developing and building an education center until later in this period. LCOG was involved all along in efforts related to the education center. Lobbying efforts in the early 90's did not succeed in gaining funds for construction of the interpretive center. After a period of relative dormancy, a workgroup was convened by BLM's District Manager Dennis Williamson in early 1999 to revisit the education center plan. BLM played the lead role and requested LCOG support in facilitation and invitations to participate. Section III: Recent Events c~ Current Status Workgroup Established In the Spring~of 1999, a working group comprised of staff from LCOG, BLM, Audubon, 4-J School District, the University of Oregon, and the City of Eugene met to begin planning for an education center. The BLM Director and Coast Range Manager attended these meetings indicating a high level of support from BLM. Kathy Eva, Stormwater Education Coordinator from Public Works Administration attended the first meeting only. Scott Duckett, Public Works' Wetlands Manager, began participating with the work group on a regular basis in June 1999. Lorna Baldwin, Stream Team Coordinator, began participating with an education program subcommittee in late 1999 /early 2000. BL,M Focuses on Ed Center with the Hiring of Pat Johnston The education center workgroup grew as new representatives from various organizations joined the group. BLM hired Pat Johnston as their new Wetland Program Coordinator in late 1999. She was given the specific mission to spearhead efforts to 1.) form anon-profit group 2.) Fund the project; and 3.) build the education center. This education focus is 80% of her workload, while the rest is associated with administration of the wetlands program. The existing workgroup was being facilitated by LCOG through City and BLM wetland contracts when Pat joined the program. She immediately took a leadership position and began to accelerate the rate at which the work group was progressing. Pat helped facilitate establishment of subcommittees and began to provide new timelines and goals for the group. Additional support from BLM was provided through a Senior Recreation Planner, Facilities Engineer; and Public Relations support.