2007 Lane County Federal Priorities

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Fec~era~ Priorities 2007 Natura~ Resources West Elugene Wetlands Education Center Field Science Laboratory Request The City of Eugene requests$750,000 to match local funds for the construction of the Phase Field Science Laboratory and associated classrooms: This request represents less than 20 percent of the total project cost. These funds will be matched by funds generated through the recently passed Parks, Recreation, and Open Space Bond and private funds raised by the local nonprofit organization, Willamette Resources and Educational Network (WREN). This center is .the result. of a decade-long .partnership with the Bureau of Lane Management to identify, restore, and enhance wetlands in West Eugene. City of Eugene Committed $ 2,250,000 '; WREN Private Funds Committed 250,000 WREN Private Funds Future 750,000 Federal Funds Requested 750.000 Total Cost Estimate $4,000,000 The committed funding represents the broad level of local support for the realization of this vital educational resource. In November 2006, Eugene voters passed a $27.5 million bond for parks, athletic fields, and general preservation of open space. .The bond project list included $1.75 million to match private and federal funds for construction of the Phase I Field Science Laboratory. Willamette Resources and Educational Network (WREN), which is eading the private fundraising campaign for the center, is committed to raising $750,000 in 2007 to build the Field Science Laboratory- Building in 2008. The balance neededto build this. facility is $750,000, which represents the federal request.. .:Background The mission of the West Eugene Wetlands (WEW) .Education Center is "to create and support aworld-class education center to celebrate and encourage stewardship of natural ' communities through broad-based community involvement and .resources." The West ;- Eugene Wetlands has a rich natural and cultural history. This is a place people return to. 1t is a perfect living laboratory and offers many opportunities for experiential learning., We emphasize active. discovery and the excitement. of .sharing in an evolving and advancing body of knowledge. ,Field Science Laboratory Buildina. Since 2002, the West Eugene Wetlands partners have. i, provided educational and interpretive programs to school groups, families, and adults, serving more than 13,000 participants (4,000 alone were served in 2006.) An onsite yurt acts as a temporary outdoor classroom.. Volunteers log more than 500 hours annually. Adults and college and high school students mentor and lead educational programs and assist with wetland restoration. The current project is not sustainable without a permanent structure. Existing primitive conditions do not allow for year-round programs. or universally ` accessible services (ADA), and do not meet growing community requests for programs.. The current education program clearly demonstrates the need for a field science laboratory to complete the learning experience in the wetlands. The laboratory and associated r_ ' ~ " 37