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EUGENE CITY COUNCIL NEWSLETTER June 30, 2005 City of Eugene 777 Pearl Street, Room 105 Eugene, Oregon 97401-2793 (541) 682-5010 (541) 682-5414 (FAX) www.ci.eugene.or, us EUGENE NAMED ONE OF BEST NATURE-FRIENDLY CITIES IN U.S. OUTREA CH UNDERWAY TO GA THER IDEAS FOR RIVER A VENUE IMPROVEMENTS CREWS BEGIN 'PULL-IN' PROGRAM TO CLEAN WASTEWATER LINES IN EASEMENTS SUMMER TIME! LOCAL RUNNING CLUBS WORK TOGETHER TO RESTORE PREFRONTAINE TRAIL IMANI WINDS - JULY 8 AND 9 Eugene Named One of Best Nature-Friendly Cities in U.S. Eugene has been named one of the most nature-friendly communities in the United States, in a new book released last week by Island Press. The book, Nature-Friendly Communities, highlights nineteen communities that lead the nation in safeguarding local landscapes, natural resources and wildlife. Mayor Kitty Piercy announced the recognition at the Checkmallow Access to the West Eugene Wetlands. "Being identified as one of the 19 most nature-friendly communities in the nation is a true tribute to our efforts and confirms what we all know - that Eugene is one of America's greatest cities for the arts and the outdoors," said Mayor Piercy. "This book calls us the 'shining star of wetlands preservation' for our West Eugene Wetlands Plan and points to us as a national model which other communities can follow." Eugene's innovative wetlands program is praised in the book as an excellent example of a collaborative and transparent process that has led to the successful acquisition and preservation of 3,000 acres of wetlands and the restoration of over 700 acres of rare wet prairie habitats, while allowing development to proceed. Mayor Piercy agreed that Eugene's success is based on two key factors cited in the book: solid planning which focuses on balancing economic, social, and environmental values, and strong partnerships with state and local government and private non-profit partners. One vital partnership lauded in the book is the United Front, the annual federal lobbying effort in which Eugene, Lane County, LCOG and other local jurisdictions collaborate to acquire funding for common priorities including the wetlands. The West Eugene Wetlands partners include the Nature Conservancy, US Bureau of Land Management, US Army Corps of Engineers, US Fish and Wildlife Service, McKenzie River Trust, Oregon Youth Conservation Corps and education and volunteer partners, Willamette Resources and Educational Network (WREN) and the City's Stream Team program. "Eugene is leading by example. Its nature-friendly programs are an impressive mix of initiatives, including wetland restoration, pest management, stormwater management and wastewater treatment, that set it head and shoulders above the vast majority of communities around the country," said authors Chris Duerksen and Cara Snyder in the book. "It is a crucial, ongoing challenge to balance environmental protection with economic and social concerns. This is acknowledgement that with committment and collaboration, we can do it," said Mayor Piercy. "1 am pleased and gratified that the book also recognizes our other ongoing efforts," Piercy added. "These include our management of resources on public lands through our Parks and Open Space Division, our dedicated natural resources staff in both the Public Works and Planning EUGENE CITY COUNCIL NEWSLETTER PAGE 1 June 30, 2005