Volunteers will 'Gain Ground' in Hendricks Park Forest This Saturday (2)

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EtTGENE P~9 MNTNC & POS Pf9 ADMIN ~ 001 01/0$/03 {qED 15:2 FA% 541 682 4882 p ~ January 8, 2 03 CONTACT: • Mich I Robert or John Moriarty, Hendricks Park, 682-5324 • Ther a M. Picado, Parks and Open Space Public Information Specialist, 682-4814 or 682 00, therese m picadoCcflci-eugene.or.us FOR IMMED ATE RELEASE VOLUNTE RS WILL "GAIN GROUND" IN HENDRlCKS PARK FOREST THIS SATURDAY Than s to the rains, the soil has loosened and Hendricks Park staff and volunteers from the commun can work on "Gaining Ground" this Saturday, January 11, as they remove ivy from the par 's forest fluor at the season's third ivy removal work party, from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Interested v lunteers should meet at the F.M. Wilkins Sheller at 2200 Summit Avenue for work instructions nd equipment. lvy II be removed while protecting the delicate native plants on the forest floor in a series of wo parties this winter. "We need to focus on getting as much ivy removed as possible bef re the native bulbs and perennials begin to emerge in the spring," says Hendricks Park Head ardener Michael Robert. Ivy a d other invasive plant removal was identified as a priority in the Hendricks Park Forest Man Bement Plan, accepted by the City Council in January 2000. English ivy is a non- native, inva ive plant that last winter was officially quarantined by the Oregon Department of Agriculture prevent its sale and propagation in the state. In Hendricks Park, ivy causes damage to a native forest ecosystem by developing into a dense ground cover that prevents native plan from growing. The loss of native plants reduces the habitat for animals and insects that depend on the natural forest ecosystem. When ivy grows up the trunks of trees, it produce se ds, allowing it to spread even further and cause more damage in other parts of the forest. Ove the last two summers, nearly all the ivy on trees and over five acres of ivy an the forest floor ave been cleared in the park. Vo[ nteers are asked to wear long sleeves, pants and sturdy shoes, and bring water. Tools will b available on site. The last ivy removal work party is scheduled for February 8. For more info ation, call 682-5324.