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I, 1 ~ t I I ~ A~S~~ssM~~vz- i 111trOC~uctlotl scattered hazelnut, serviceberry and ninebark, with an understory of sword fern With apre-historical and historical and various perennials such as false i - ~ perspective, we're better able to Solomon's seal and tritium. i I understand Skinner Butte Parkas we see it ' today. It is a complex picture, and one that Remnant Oak Savanna Transition: is influenced by thousands of people and Primarilyoccurringa/ongthesouthernedge the changing ideas, attitudes and needs of of the north-side forest, from the western generations of Eugene residents. This edge of the butte across the summit to the snapshot, taken as the master plan is eastern edge of the butte, this transition ~ developed, must serve as the base line zone is characterized by both young and ~ from which we move into the future. What ! mature Oregon white oak, several madrone, is it, then, that we see today? andan understoryofsnowberry, poison oak, f i ninebark, hazelnut and serviceberry. This Natural Resources habitattype,aremnantofoncecommonto the Willamette Valley and representing what Several distinct types of habitat are present probably existed in some areas on Skinner in Skinner Butte Park, Although the natural ~ Butte, is slowly disappearing as Douglas fir areas are characteristically urban, existing begins to take hold around the oak trees. in varying degrees of integrity and This transition to a Douglas fir forest is succession, each currently provides an representative of a common sight around 1 ~ important component of habitat in the the region, and is valuable as an example ' downtown Eugene area. The five main of an indigenous habitat type that has habitat types (See Map 4) are typical of become largely extinct. natural areas that occur frequently - throughout the region, and for decades Upland Prairie: have been used as a classroom and Two small areas ofremnantsavannaprairie learning opportunity for local residents. exist on Skinner Butte: one on the western face of the butte above "The Columns" The North-Side Forest: climbing area, and one on the eastern face Occurring primarily on the north side of of the butte between the EWEB reservoirand Skinner Butte, this area is characterized by the East Skinner Butte Historic District. mature Douglas fir up to 150 years old (or These areas are characterized by steep, older), bigleaf maple and younger grand fir. rocky slopes populated by some remnant In the absence of disturbance and fire, this native grasses, including Romer's fescue, area is succeeding towards a mixed forest and numerous native forbes and grasses. of hardwood and true fir. The middle story A plant survey of the western area f_ is composed largely of osoberry with conducted bySalixAssociatesinthespring C Skinner Butte Park • Master Plan 2001 37