In honor of the City’s 150th birthday, last November a hardy group of City of Eugene employees and their families planted 150 native trees to help restore natural habitat along the Willamette River. Next week, contractor Anderson Erosion Control will continue their great work and begin planting several hundred more native, large-canopy trees on City-owned park property along the east and west banks of the river, north of the Greenway Pedestrian Bridge.
A healthy riparian edge provides important habitat for wildlife (including salmon), improves water quality, helps stabilize banks and reduces erosion. The Ruth Bascom Riverbank Path is a beloved recreational amenity with unique access to the Willamette River and acts as a commuter “super highway” for alternate modes of transportation. A balanced approach to the pedestrian experience, retention of beautiful river views, public safety and limiting hiding places were all considerations factored in to the selection of planting sites and the density of the plantings.
This project satisfies regulatory requirements found within the stormwater permit that the City holds with the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality. It is being funded through the City of Eugene’s stormwater program as part of the larger effort to improve water quality, enhance natural resource values, and reduce pollutants entering waterways. For more information, contact Natural Resources Enhancement Coordinator Lauri Holts at 541-682-4925 or < a href="mailto:lauri.j.holts@ci.eugene.or.us">lauri.j.holts@ci.eugene.or.us.