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Nearly 57% of the species identified in our inventories are non-native, and the actual coverage by non-natives is much higher -probably over 95% for herbaceous vegetation species. While percent cover by trees of both types is low, it is primarily comprised of native species. No rare plant species were expected or found during our inventory, and none are reported from the area in a report generated by the Oregon Natural Heritage Program (2000). Wildlife Although there is significant human use of the bike path, and occasional use of the remainder of the park by humans and pets for recreation, it has habitat qualities that support a number of wildlife species. Although insect, herptile and mammal surveys were not a part of this project, when compared in context to similar sites in the area, some use by several species in these groups could be expected. Our inventories included two bird surveys in early and mid spring, and a bird (and other wildlife) list. We confirmed presence of 37 species, and estimate an additiona128 species that are likely to use park habitats. A neighbor provided a separate list of 50 bird species (and a few other categories of wildlife) compiled over a longer term of observation). Both lists indicate use of the park by a substantial number of bird species. Although there are several sensitive grassland bird species that nest in the Willamette Valley (western meadowlark, vesper sparrow, horned lark, etc.), in general, they require larger open spaces. Although some of these species need as little as two acres for nesting territory (ODFW 2000), such nesting territories are normally established in larger habitat blocks that are not islands surrounded by unfavorable habitat. In general, tracts of 100 acres or larger provide much better nesting opportunity. In the Metro area, only Alton Baker Park has sufficient acreage to provide nesting habitat for some species of grassland birds. Although western meadowlarks are known to winter there, they have not been present there in summer. It is likely that even that space is too small and isolated, and has too much human use, to be conducive to nesting for that species. In our experience, Rasor Park may be too small and isolated even for nesting by savannah sparrows, which are somewhat more tolerant of human disturbance than meadowlarks and the other sensitive species listed above. (Savannah sparrows have not been documented in Rasor Park.) Riparian forest habitats tend to be used by a wide diversity of animals for feeding, cover and protected access to water, and safe movement corridors between habitats. Additionally, riparian forests benefit adjacent aquatic habitats and species by providing habitat for terrestrial phases of aquatic insect life cycles, shade for maintaining cool water temperatures, and inputs of organic material (coarse and fine) into aquatic systems. For these reasons, the riparian fringe is important to wildlife in and adjacent to the park. Wildlife species that use savanna-prairie areas are more exposed and vulnerable to predators, and may be sensitive to perceived potential predators or danger. Residences closely border Rasor Park on two sides, and a busy road borders on a third. The proximity of these human uses, as well as the actual human and pet use of the savanna-prairie undoubtedly discourages use by many species that would use the site if it were located in a quiet, rural location. The isolation of Rasor Park from other large, natural open spaces also limits its use by wildlife. Nonetheless, an Rasor Park Master Plan 9 City of Eugene, Parks Planning