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Without this funding the West Eugene Wetlands plant materials program would also be at risk. The <br /> plant materials program has been developed over more than a decade with collaborative funding <br /> supplied by three partners conducting wetland enhancement and restoration in the Eugene area: BLM, <br /> the City of Eugene, and The Nature Conservancy. The plant materials program is an essential part of <br /> achieving successful wetland and upland enhancement and restoration, including enhancement of <br /> habitat for listed species such as Fender's blue butterfly and Willamette Valley prairie plants. Native <br /> seed of plant species from southern Willamette Valley stock is generally not available on the <br /> commercial market, except in those instances where it was initiated through our collection and <br /> grow -out program. <br /> In the last two years, as the economic downturn has translated into funding declines for all three <br /> partners, we have reduced the number of plant species in production and face extreme challenges in <br /> maintaining seed availability, although restoration and enhancement needs continue to grow. <br /> Providing funding will fill a critical gap this year and allow this program to continue to provide native <br /> seed for key enhancement projects such as those proposed for the North and South Taylor properties <br /> and Long Tom ACEC. Without this funding the overall program will be at risk. If we are unable to <br /> maintain the contracts, there is a risk that the program will be set back several years as many slow <br /> growing species that have taken several years to mature and produce seed may be removed from <br /> production. <br /> 5. How will you sustain this project or your program in future years when this source of funding runs <br /> out? <br /> The Long Tom ACEC and North and South Taylor properties are important lands in the West Eugene <br /> Wetlands for plants and wildlife, including listed species. By investing in native plant materials to <br /> enhance those areas formerly occupied by invasive nonnative species, we are reducing the potential for <br /> reinvasion. Once large initial efforts have occurred to remove colonies of invasive species, periodic <br /> follow -up is an easier, though still necessary, task. <br /> The North and South Taylor properties will be maintained by the BLM and work will be prioritized <br /> within the context of annual operating budgets. The Long Tom ACEC, North and South Taylor <br /> properties will also be prioritized to receive prescribed fire in future years. <br /> The West Eugene Wetlands native plant materials program has used the mutual expertise and resources <br /> of all partners in developing its native seed collection and grow -out program up to this point. Several <br /> grass species are now in grow -out by commercial nurseries and widely available to other Willamette <br /> Valley users. Because our partnership is large and composed of multiple entity types, we have been <br /> able to rely on a united effort to achieve results even when one partner is faces an unexpected budget <br /> shortfall. Recognizing that an expanded partnership will strengthen our program in challenging <br /> economic times, we are in the process of collaborating with the broader Willamette Valley restoration <br /> community to determine how we might achieve similar plant materials successes and development at a <br /> broader regional scale. Short term funding will provide the immediate stability necessary to achieve <br /> longer term stability. This is particularly important during this time when other funding sources have <br /> declined. <br /> 13 of 16 <br />