About the West Eugene Wetlands

The West Eugene Wetlands includes more than 3,000 acres of open space within and surrounding the city of Eugene, Oregon. It embraces some of the last remaining 1/2 of 1% of the rare Willamette Valley wet prairie habitat. Wetlands are an intrinsic part of the water cycle. They filter toxins out of the water and store flood waters. The Willamette Valley was o¬nce an immense pattern of wetlands linked to the Willamette River. In the late summer, the Kalapuya people would set fires to much of the valley to keep the prairie open. These early inhabitants depended o­n wild plants that grew in open prairie, such as camas, tarweed, and yampah. In the 1800s and 1900s, the rivers and wetlands were reshaped to accommodate modern agriculture and urban development. As the community grew, wetlands were drained and filled.

Wetlands have three distinguishing features: soils that undergo extended periods of saturation, plants adapted to life in extremely wet conditions, and the presence of water. Wetlands are important habitat for many plants and animals, including endangered species. Almost 1/3 of the nation's endangered species are dependent o­n wetlands, specifically local endangered species the Fender's blue butterfly and Kincaid's lupine.

Since the early 1990’s countless hours of hard work and collaboration among community volunteers, scientists, government agencies, and environmental organizations have resulted in securing these urban wetland and upland habitats that are uniquely the largest natural land area within the city boundaries. From willows to wildflowers, butterflies to beavers, hundreds of species rely o­n the West Eugene Wetlands to survive. Mindful efforts o­n the part of our community will lead to sustainable natural habitat that will enhance the quality of life for all creatures that live in the Willamette Valley. o­ngoing restoration efforts ensure that this precious natural resource will be maintained for generations.
The West Eugene Wetlands Plan is a road map to balancing economic growth with wetlands preservation. The Plan utilizes the resources of community members, businesses, government agencies, and non-profit organizations to ensure the perpetuation of clean water resources o­n which our community depends.

Wetlands are disappearing at an alarming rate. They provide our community with clean water, wildlife habitat and store flood waters. Almost o­ne third of our nation's endangered species are found in wetlands or are dependant o­n them for survival. Nationwide less than half of the original 215 million wetland acres existing in colonial times no longer function. Locally, the situation is bleaker: less than o­ne half of 1% of the Willamette Valley wet prairie habitat remains. Regulatory agencies, as well as local and federal governments struggle to protect and restore wetlands, but these efforts are not enough. Local community stewardship is essential to wetland protection and maintenance. Continual education also helps to create an atmosphere of stewardship.

Often, the greatest barrier to protecting, conserving and restoring our natural resources is community indifference. Education prepares us to think together about difficult decisions we have to make concerning our environment. The West Eugene Wetlands Education Program will truly be successful when the sense of environmental stewardship takes root and spreads. This sense of responsibility for the natural systems, upon which we are all dependent, is the foundation of environmental literacy, and is the overarching goal of the West Eugene Wetlands Education Program. Stewardship can be as simple as preventing soap and pollutants from entering the city storm water system that ultimately ends up in the wetlands or in live waterways such as Amazon Creek. Stewardship can also be the found in the decisions and policies we make with regards to our natural world.