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JONES Eric R <br /> - To: SHOEMAKER Lee <br /> ubject: RE: News Release 8.18.08 Prescribed Burns Begin in August on Three Eugene Natural Areas <br /> Thanks, ej <br /> i <br /> .From: SHOEMAKER Lee <br /> !I Sent: Tuesday, August 19, 2008 2:28 PM <br /> To: JONES Eric R <br /> Subject: FW: News Release 8.18.08 Prescribed Burns Begin in August on Three Eugene Natural Areas <br /> fyi <br /> From: DARNELL Kelly A <br /> Sent: Monday, August 18, 2008 2:19 PM <br /> To: *Eugene Media Contacts <br /> Cc: *Eugene PW POS Supv; SHOEMAKER Lee; STEEL Emily C; STEECK Diane M <br /> Subject: News Release 8.18.08 Prescribed Burns Begin in August on Three Eugene Natural Areas <br /> <br /> j <br /> August 18, 2008 <br /> FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE- <br /> . <br /> Contact: Trevor Taylor, Natural Areas Restoration Supervisor at (W) 682-4888, (C) 868-4134 or <br /> trevor. h.taylor@ci.eugene.or. us <br /> Prescribed Burns Help Native, Fire-Dependent Species Thrive -Beginning August 21 on Three City <br /> Natural Areas <br /> Starting this month, the City of Eugene's Natural Resources team will be enlisting the assistance of the <br /> Eugene Fire Department (EFD) to conduct prescribed burns on three City natural areas: Dragonfly, Bend, <br /> Meadowlark Prairie, and Coyote Prairie. The prescribed burns will allow the City to safely achieve <br /> ecological goals for preserving Willamette Valley wet prairies, while providing a unique training .opportunity <br /> for EFD crews. The prescribed burn schedule depends on.weather conditions but may start as early as <br /> Thursday, August 21 and continue on specific days through the month of September. <br /> The West Eugene Wetlands Partnership relies on prescribed 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 /> :pen 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. Prescribed <br /> 1 <br /> <br />