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~ r• ~ ~ FEDERAL PRIORITIES - 2000 <br /> WEST EUGENE WETLANDS <br /> ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION CENTER <br /> The City of Eugene seeks $150,000 from the U.S. Department of Interior, Bureau of Land <br /> Management (BLM), for the Eugene District of BLM to form an interdisciplinary team to design <br /> and plan an education center that fits the community's needs. <br /> Presently the West Eugene Wetlands (WEW) Partnership is made up of a diverse group of <br /> federal, state, county, city, and private organizations that have guided the purchase, -protection, <br /> <br /> ~ and restoration of over 1,500 acres of wetlands. As the wetland acquisition phase of this project <br /> successfully concludes over the next three yeazs, the focus of the partnership is now shifting to <br /> the restoration of these lands and the public use of the land through education, recreation, and <br /> interpretation. The demonstrated demand is great for an environmental education center. A goal <br /> of the West Eugene Wetland Plan is to "Establish a stable funding program for achieving long- <br /> term and short-term goals for wetland ...education." The community's needs for this facility <br /> aze diverse. <br /> The center will be designed to serve the needs of local, private, and public schools, and the <br /> broader adult community for field trips to further the understanding of the natural environment. <br /> Presently, a volunteer trail guide training program, developed and implemented by the local <br /> Audubon Chapter, is rapidly expanding to meet the increasing environmental education demand. <br /> This volunteer program is being developed and expanded through the West Eugene Wetland <br /> Partnership and will be moving into an interim facility owned by the.Nature Conservancy within <br /> the West Eugene wetland complex. However, this interim educational site has limitations due to <br /> its capacity, site restrictions, transportation issues, and location. It is a converted farm house <br /> within a developing residential area. <br /> The proposed center will serve the needs of the Rachel Carson Environmental School. The <br /> Carson program is a permanent, full-time, alternative high school program offered to high school <br /> juniors and seniors that is currently housed at Churchill High School within the 4J school district. <br /> This program served 28 students in 1998/99 and serves 76 students in 1999/00. <br /> The education center will serve the general public to interpret the unique ecosystem known as <br /> the West Eugene wetlands that are protected within the complex land use pattern within the <br /> urban setting of the City of Eugene. The educational program will expand to deal with a range <br /> of plant communities within the Willamette Valley ecosystem and with the cultural and human <br /> history of the region. These wetlands share boundaries with residential neighborhoods, industrial <br /> complexes, and commercial complexes. <br /> Due to the complexity of the project, it has been determined that a team approach to design <br /> would be the most effective and successful. The planning team should consist of two to three <br /> permanent members that have a full compliment of skills that will satisfy the needs of the project <br /> and community. Further, this planning team will rely on the present environmental education <br /> committee that continues to provide input and valuable, local expertise (Refer to attached fact <br /> sheet). <br /> Page 71 of 97 <br /> <br />