Laserfiche WebLink
Before the introduction of modern agriculture, oak savanna was the predominant habitat in much of the <br />United States. It is now considered one of the most endangered habitats in North America. In contrast to <br />a forest, which has a closed canopy, the open canopy of a savanna allows the growth of a wide diversity <br />of grasses and flowering plants, and serves as critical habitat for numerous plant and animal species. <br /> <br />The University of Oregon has been conducting research on oak savannah in the Willamette Valley, <br />including a site located on City park land on the north side of Spencer Butte. The UO’s goal is to collect <br />information about existing conditions in Eugene’s oak savanna habitats and compare it to potential <br />conditions after restoration. Researchers have gathered information about soils and tree and shrub <br />cover in order to create computer models of future scenarios of oak savannas under different <br />management trajectories. <br /> <br />To develop their model they invited a variety of experts from the community including government land <br />managers, botanists, wildlife experts, private land owners, fire experts, and Parks and Open Space staff <br />members. Once complete, this model will help City staff with future land management decisions. For <br />more information contact Trevor Taylor, natural resource operations supervisor, 682-4880, or at <br />trevor.h.taylor@ci.eugene.or.us. <br /> <br /> <br />EUGENE CITY COUNCIL NEWSLETTER PAGE 3 <br />December 8, 2005 <br />