Celebrating WETLANDS.Byline: Mike Stahlberg The Register-Guard What do April showers cause to sprout up in May? Why, National Wetlands Month, of course. Until now, Wetlands Month has been largely ignored by winter-weary Oregonians. This year, however, a consortium of public agencies and private nonprofit groups hopes to use National Wetlands Month to increase public awareness and appreciation of the west Eugene wetlands. The call to "Celebrate Eugene's Unique Wetlands" is being issued by the Willamette Resources Education Network. Events on WREN's Wetlands Month calendar range from an exhibit of wetlands photographs to interpretive hikes focusing on birds, bats, butterflies, insects or wildflowers that live in the wetlands. Also planned are a series of free Wednesday night nature talks and numerous tours for school groups. The west Eugene wetlands include about 2,500 acres of land in the Amazon and Willow Creek Willow Creek may refer to: In Christianity:
Now the partnership is ready to enter a new phase, said Scott Duckett, Wetlands and Open Waterways Manager for the city of Eugene's Parks Department. "The past 10 years have been focused heavily on acquisition and restoration," Duckett said. "Now we're trying to make it more of an asset that people can benefit from and visit." Enter WREN, a private, nonprofit corporation nonprofit corporation n. an organization incorporated under state laws and approved by both the state's Secretary of State and its taxing authority as operating for educational, charitable, social, religious, civic or humanitarian purposes. created by the partners to help oversee wetlands education. WREN also will help secure funding for a $12 million Wetlands Education Center proposed for construction on a knoll near the confluence of Amazon and Willow creeks. The site is north of West 11th Avenue and east of Danebo Avenue, where the present BLM BLM n abbr (US) (= Bureau of Land Management) → les domaines wetlands office is located. The group hopes to break ground on the first classroom phase next year and to complete the third and final phase in 2007. When completed, the center would house a greenhouse, classrooms for the Eugene School District's Rachel Carson Noun 1. Rachel Carson - United States biologist remembered for her opposition to the use of pesticides that were hazardous to wildlife (1907-1964) Carson, Rachel Louise Carson natural resources program, a laboratory, a wetlands reference library, offices, exhibit and assembly halls, plus an outdoor amphitheater. The center "is the next logical step to connect the community residents to these unique public lands through education, recreation and interpretation," wrote former U.S. Sen. Mark Hatfield Mark Odom Hatfield (born July 12, 1922) is a former United States Senator and Governor of Oregon. He is a member of the Republican Party. Biography Hatfield was born in Dallas, Oregon,[1] in the cover letter of a 36-page WREN brochure outlining the education center proposal. Hatfield championed several of the Congressional appropriations that paid for wetlands acquisition under the federal Clean Water Act. Eventually, WREN will launch a capital campaign for the Wetlands Education Center, hoping to raise private contributions that can be used as "matching money" for government grants. First, however, awareness of the new public asset on Eugene's western doorstep must be increased. "The idea being that as people come to understand what it is we're offering, and to see it as an asset, that will generate support," said Pat Johnston, the BLM's west Eugene wetlands project manager. Wetlands Month will be "our first big event" in that process, Johnston said. A formal dedication of Meadowlark meadowlark, common North American meadow bird of the family Icteridae, also called meadow starling. Unlike other members of the family, which comprises blackbirds, grackles, orioles, and others, the meadowlark does not travel in large flocks, and it eats harmful Prairie - the latest major wetlands addition - will be held May 12 at a recently completed wetlands overlook alongside Green Hill Road. Meadowlark Prairie is served by a new "multi-use path," and several interpretive panels will help tell the wetlands story to visitors. As a result of public acquisition, some areas once named for farmers or businesses are getting new names - and some of the names were chosen to be representative of the Willamette Valley's original inhabitants
The game is based loosely on the concepts from SameGame. . A trio of "naming ceremonies" - patterned after those used by the Kalapuya Indians - will be held May 24. Kalapuya names are being given to three wetland sites in recognition of the people who once hunted, fished and gathered camus bulbs in the wet prairies of the Willamette Valley The Willamette Valley (pronounced [wɪˈlæ.mɪt], with the accent on the second syllable) is the region in northwest Oregon in the United States that surrounds the Willamette River as it proceeds northward from its . Features to be ceremoniously cer·e·mo·ni·ous adj. 1. Strictly observant of or devoted to ceremony, ritual, or etiquette; punctilious: "borne on silvery trays by ceremonious world-weary waiters" Financial Times. named are: "Gudu-kut Natural Area," the eastern-most parcel in the wetlands project. It's located east of City View and south of West 11th. (Gudu-kut is a Kalapuya word that means frog); the ceremony is set for May 24 at 10 a.m. "Tsanchiffin Walk," a nature path located near the site of a proposed Wetlands Education Center at Danebo and West 11th (Tsanchiffin was the name of an indigenous Kalapuyan group that resided in the southern Willamette Valley); and "Luk-wah Prairie," a wetlands parcel south of Beltline and west of Willow Creek that, until recently, was the site of a motor speedway. Those interested in participating in the latter two ceremonies should meet at the BLM's office at 751 S. Danebo Ave. at 11 a.m. on May 24. WETLAND WONDERS? At first glance, they're just weeds and water. What makes Eugene's wetlands worth the investment of so much time, effort and money? The project area includes much of the remaining Willamette Wet Prairie habitat, a special kind of wetlands that once dominated the Willamette Valley. Wetlands produce basic necessities for plants, animals and humans. They cleanse water, control flooding, produce oxygen, cycle nutrients, enhance air quality and help stabilize the climate. More than 350 species of plants, including five with threatened or endangered status, live in the wetlands. Eugene's wetlands are rich in wildlife. Some 200 species of birds - including waterfowl waterfowl, common term for members of the order Anseriformes, wild, aquatic, typically freshwater birds including ducks, geese, and screamers. In Great Britain the term is also used to designate species kept for ornamental purposes on private lakes or ponds, while in and many Neotropical songbirds - reside there. So does the Fenders blue butterfly, an endangered species endangered species, any plant or animal species whose ability to survive and reproduce has been jeopardized by human activities. In 1999 the U.S. government, in accordance with the U.S. . The 2,500 acres protected in the west Eugene wetlands provide a vast amount of open space just four miles from downtown Eugene and accessible via public transportation and bicycle. One busy month Other events on the Celebrate Eugene Wetlands calendar are listed below: FRIDAY Photography Exhibit: Local photographers' images taken in the West Eugene Wetlands will be on public exhibit at Cafe Paradiso, 115 W. Broadway in downtown Eugene, during normal cafe hours through May 30. Wetlands partners representatives will be on hand during the First Friday First Friday is a city-wide public event that occurs on the first Friday of every month. The events may take on many purposes, including art gallery openings and social networking. Art Walk (5:30 to 7:30 p.m. on May 2) to answer questions about the exhibit and the wetlands project. SATURDAY Wildflower wildflower Any flowering plant that grows without intentional human aid. Wildflowers are the source of all cultivated garden varieties of flowers. A wildflower growing where it is unwanted is considered a weed. walk: David Wagner
SUNDAY Wetlands tour: Guides from the Eugene Stream Team and Lane County Audubon Society will lead a walking tour through the West Eugene Wetlands; 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Details, registration: Lorna Baldwin, 682-4850 or E-mail lorna.j.baldwin@ci.eugene.or.us. WEDNESDAY Nature talk: Dr. Sarah Hendrickson of Lane County Public Health and Pollyanna Lind of the Northwest Coalition for Alternatives to Pesticides will present the latest information on the West Nile Virus West Nile virus, microorganism and the infection resulting from it, which typically produces no symptoms or a flulike condition. The virus is a flavivirus and is related to a number of viruses that cause encephalitis. , how it is transmitted, its effect on animals and alternatives for mosquito control, 7 p.m. at the BLM Yurt, 765 S. Danebo Ave. SATURDAY, MAY 10 Wort wort 1 n. A plant. Often used in combination: liverwort; milkwort. [Middle English, from Old English wyrt; see party: The Nature Conservancy of Oregon will hold a volunteer work party to help protect the native habitats of Willow Creek Natural Area; 9:30 a.m. to noon. Volunteers will help remove non-native plants, collect seeds of native plant species and assist with prairie restoration Prairie Restoration is an ecologically friendly way to restore some of the prairie land that was lost to industry, farming and commerce. For example, the state of Illinois alone once held over 22 million acres (89,000 km²) of prairie land and now a mere 2,000 acres (8 km²) of projects. Bring lunch, water and gloves, as well as loppers Loppers are a type of scissors used for pruning twigs and small branches. They are the largest type of manual garden cutting tool. They are usually operated with two hands, and the handles may be around 65 cm long to give good leverage. or handsaw if possible. Details: Ed Alverson, 682-4927. WEDNESDAY, MAY 14 Nature talk: Ralph Garono, an Oregon State University Oregon State University, at Corvallis; land-grant and state supported; coeducational; chartered 1858 as Corvallis College, opened 1865. In 1868 it was designated Oregon's land-grant agricultural college and was taken over completely by the state in 1885. aquatic ecologist, will present a program based on his research on the insect life of the Willamette Valley and the West Eugene Wetlands, 7 p.m. at the BLM Yurt, 765 S. Danebo Ave. FRIDAY, MAY 16 Owl walk: Steve Gorden will lead a moonlit moon·lit adj. Lighted by moonlight. moonlit Adjective illuminated by the moon Adj. 1. outing in which participants will try to see or hear five species of local owls - Barn, Short-eared, Great Horned horned adj. Having a horn, horns, or a hornlike growth. Adj. 1. horned - having a horn or horns or hornlike parts or horns of a particular kind; "horned viper"; "great horned owl"; "the unicorn--a mythical horned beast"; , Western Screech and Northern Saw-whet. Introductory talk begins at the BLM Wetland Office, West 11th Street and Danebo Avenue, at 7 p.m. Bring a flashlight, binoculars and wear warm clothing. Details: Holly McRea, 683-6494. SATURDAY, MAY 17 Birding: Steve Gordon will lead an outing to see spring migrants. Meet at the Stewart Pond parking lot (just north of Stewart Road, east of Bertelsen Road) at 7 a.m. After birding the trails of Bertelsen Nature Park, the group will carpool car·pool n. also car pool 1. An arrangement whereby several participants or their children travel together in one vehicle, the participants sharing the costs and often taking turns as the driver. 2. to Meadowlark Prairie to bird along the new multi-purpose path. Details: 683-6494. Insects: "Discovery Dragonflies" is the focus of an outing in which participants will attempt to find and identify the 12 different species of dragonflies and damselflies known to inhabit Grimes and Sandpiper sandpiper, common name for some members of the large family Scolopacidae, small shore birds, including the snipe and the curlew. Sandpipers are wading birds with relatively long legs and long, slender bills for probing in the sand or mud for their prey—all ponds. Meet at the corner Wallis Street and Fifth Avenue at 1 p.m. Checklists, field guides and nets will be provided. Details: Holly McRea, 683-6494. WEDNESDAY, MAY 21 Nature talk: "Readings from the Wetlands," a presentation by naturalist John Cooney of essays about sites within the West Eugene Wetlands, 7 p.m. at the BLM Yurt, 765 S. Danebo Ave. WEDNESDAY, MAY 28 Nature talk: "Amphibians amphibians members of the animal class Amphibia. Includes frogs, toads, newts, salamanders and cecilians all capable of living on land or in water. and Reptiles of the West Eugene Wetlands," a talk by Tom Titus, 7 p.m. at the BLM Yurt, 765 S. Danebo Ave. SATURDAY, MAY 31 Butterfly walk: Eric Wold of the North American Butterfly Association The North American Butterfly Association (NABA) was created in 1992 by Jeffrey Glassberg who currently resides as the association's president. The NABA was formed in order to promote awareness of butterfly conservation and the benefits of butterfly gardening, observation, will lead a leisurely three-hour tour of the West Eugene Wetlands to observe butterflies and wildflowers. Meet at the west Eugene wetland office, 751 S. Danebo Ave. at 1 p.m. Limited to 20 people. Preregister pre·reg·is·ter v. pre·reg·is·tered, pre·reg·is·ter·ing, pre·reg·is·ters v.intr. To take part in preregistration. v.tr. To enroll (a student) during a period of preregistration. by calling Wold at 431-7388 or e-mail him at canoe@epud.net. THE GREENING OF THE WETLANDS The West Eugene Wetlands project represents a major financial investment. To date, more than $35 million has been spent by an array of government agencies and private organizations -not counting "in-kind" contributions such as staff time and equipment usage. An additional $13 million in expenditures are proposed. The major financial components include: $12.5 million: U.S. Land and Water Conservation Fund The United States' Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) is a Federal program that was established by Act of Congress in 1965. The Act designated that a portion of receipts from offshore oil and gas leases[1] appropriations to the Bureau of Land Management for land acquisition. $8.8 million: Nature Conservancy investment in the acquisition and restoration of Eugene-area wetlands, primarily the Willow Creek Natural Area. Some funding was provided by the Bonneville Power Administration's wildlife mitigation program. $6.5 million: Army Corps of Engineers and City of Eugene funds used to acquire, restore and help develop the Meadowlark Prairie project in the Green Hill/Royal Avenue area $2.5 million: Construction of the Fern Ridge Bike Path extension and the Meadowlark Prairie Overlook. $2.1 million: State, federal and local funds used for the Amazon Creek Enhancement Project, which included construction of the original section of the Fern Ridge Bike Path. $1.5 million: "Wetlands mitigation bank" credits sold to private businesses and used for wetlands restoration. $1.4 million: Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board grants for land acquisition. The money comes from the Oregon Lottery. $1 million: North American North American named after North America. North American blastomycosis see North American blastomycosis. North American cattle tick see boophilusannulatus. Wetlands Conservation Act grants for land acquisition; the money comes from the sale of federal duck stamps. $128,000: U.S. Department of Education grant to pay for planning of the proposed Wetlands Education Center. $1 million (proposed): Application for U.S. Land and Water Conservation Fund grant to pay for additional land acquisitions. $11.9 million (proposed): Projected cost of West Eugene Wetlands Education Center. - City of Eugene CAPTION(S): `Reflections' is the title of a photograph by Jeff Leezer entered in the Willamette Resources Education Network show of wetlands photographs. Wetlands: Center due in 2007 Continued from Page E6 "Overlook" is a panoramic photograph entered in the wetlands photography exhibit by Len and Terry Stolfo. WETLANDS MONTH CALENDAR "Amazon Homestead" by Herman Krieger will be on public exhibit at Cafe Paradiso. Please turn to WETLANDS, Page E5 "Follow me" is a digitally manipulated photograph created by Kevin McKewen. 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