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i <br /> JONES Eric R <br /> -From: DARNELL Kelly A <br /> Sent: Monday, September 29, 2008 9:40 AM <br /> i To: *Eugene Media Contacts <br /> Cc: *Eugene PIT; *Eugene PW POS Mgmt Team; TAYLOR Trevor H; STEEL Emily C; DENHAM <br /> Jesse J <br /> j Subject: Media Advisory 9.29.08 -City Conducts Ecological Burn in West Eugene Wetlands Today <br /> i <br /> MEDIA ADVISORY <br /> <br /> ~ For further information contact: <br /> Trevor Taylor (682-4888/mobile 912-5755) or <br /> Emily Steel (682-4874/mobile 505-4780) <br /> City of Eugene Conducts Ecological Burn in West Eugene Wetlands Today <br /> WHEN: Today, Monday, September 29, 2008 at 10:00 a.m. <br /> WHAT: The City of Eugene plans to conduct an ecological controlled burn for restoring native Willamette <br /> Valley prairie. ~Ecologica) fire is a restoration tool used by several partner agencies in the West Eugene <br /> Wetlands for. maintaining biodiversity, removing standing biofuels, and keeping woody vegetation from <br /> establishing. The Eugene Fire Department will conduct the burns. <br /> WHERE: The site, Dragonfly Bend, is located on the north side,of Royal Avenue, east of the intersection of <br /> royal and Greenhill Rd. Park at Checkermallow Access. <br /> PHOTO/INTERVIEW OPPORTUNITIES: Members of the media are welcome to attend-the tanned burn. <br /> p <br /> For safety reasons, media must remain outside the burn area. Media are advised that if conditions <br /> immediately prior to the planned burn change or are not appropriate, the burn will be canceled. <br /> • l 0 a.m. -City staff on site, mobilizing to begin burn. <br /> • 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. -Burn occurs during approximately 1 hour within this time period. After burn ~is <br /> complete crews stay on site to monitor: <br /> ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: <br /> City of Eugene's Natural Resources team will be enlisting the assistance of the Eugene Fire Department <br /> (EFD) to conduct this ecological burn. The ecological burn will allow the City to safely achieve conservation <br /> goals for preserving Willamette Valley wet prairies, while providing a unique training opportunity for EFD <br /> crews. <br /> The West Eugene Wetlands Partnership relies on ecological fire as a restoration tool to protect valuable <br /> biological diversity in prairie ecosystems. The Willamette Valley was once dominated by prairies rich with a <br /> diversity of grass and wildflower species, maintained in open condition by frequent burning by native <br /> people. This ecosystem requires regular disturbance to preserve native species and to prevent conversion of <br /> open prairie to a closed woodland or forest. Additionally, since many natural areas and private residences <br /> ;are located in the wildland-urban interface, it is especially important to keep fuel levels low. Ecological <br /> burning is a tool used the City to help remove standing dead vegetation, decreasing the chances of <br /> uncontrolled wildfire. <br /> 1 <br /> <br />