Walk Leader: Paul Reed he/him
Paul Reed is a Restoration Ecologist at the Institute for Applied Ecology, where he works with many partners across Oregon and Washington to restore native habitats and support the recovery of threatened and endangered species. Since 2022, he has managed restoration projects in the West Eugene Wetlands in partnership with the Bureau of Land Management. Paul has a PhD in Environmental Sciences and Biology from the University of Oregon, where he studied the effects of climate change on native prairie ecosystems.
About the Walk:
See-Sil (Hansen) is a 143-acre site owned by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). The site contains a diverse range of habitats, including wet prairies, vernal pools, upland prairies, oak savannas, and oak woodlands, and supports several sensitive plant and wildlife species. The oak savanna and woodland areas feature numerous California black oaks (Quercus kelloggii), which reach the northernmost edge of their geographic range here in the southern Willamette Valley.
The BLM and the Institute for Applied Ecology have been actively restoring critical prairie-oak habitat at this site, particularly to support the federally threatened Fender’s blue butterfly and several listed plant species. During this walk, Paul will discuss the habitats and species found at the site, its context within the greater West Eugene Wetlands, and the ongoing restoration efforts taking place. The walk will cover approximately two miles, primarily along mowed grass and light user trails. Some of the terrain may be bumpy. Waterproof boots are highly recommended.
Directions: 27720 Royal Ave, Eugene, OR 97402
Head west on Royal Ave till the western end and park in the ODFW lot. Green Hill Rd off west 11th or Clear Lake are good accesses to Royal as Royal does not have an easy Beltline connection. We will be carpooling to the walk location from this parking lot.
* WREN’s Wetland Wanders explore a different theme, conservation project, and site in the Eugene/Springfield area on the second Tuesday of the month. Please bring water, binoculars, closed-toed shoes, and dress for the weather. Walks are free and open to the public. No registration is required.