BLM OR-WA West Eugene Wetlands Conservation Grants, Eugene District

Five of these T&E species along with several other Bureau flora “Species of Concern”, have management guidance included in the Recovery Plan for Prairie Species of Western Oregon and Southwestern Washington (USFWS 2010). The Recovery Plan identifies multiple recovery zones in the region, one of which coincides closely with the West Eugene Wetlands and is called the Eugene West Zone. The Recovery Plan provides specific criteria and guidance for achieving down-listing and de-listing (“recovery”) of these species, including necessary population sizes, connectivity, population trends, land management, habitat quality targets, and the removal of threats.

The BLM WEW partnership has been working closely with the Institute for Applied Ecology for nearly 20 years, accomplishing shared conservation goals for an endangered ecosystem and federally listed species management through research and adaptive land management strategies on parcels within the West Eugene Wetlands, Eugene District. The Willamette Valley prairies are one of the most endangered habitats in the U.S. (Noss et al. 1995). With less than half a percent of habitat remaining, and little of that in pristine condition, restoration of this rare habitat is essential if this ecotype, and the species that depend on it, are going to survive.

In order to meet USFWS Recovery goals this program will include WEW rare habitat enhancement & restoration projects, invasive research plant projects, rare & federally listed species and habitat monitoring, WEW Special Status Species Research Flora Projects, and interpretative signage relating to rare WEW habitats & species projects.