West Eugene Area – Oregon Conservation Strategy

This site extends from Camas Swale north along the foothills to Cox Butte, including the West Eugene wetlands

COA ID: 086

Recommended Conservation Actions

Continue active management of restored habitats to conserve ecological values
Maintain or restore riparian and wetland habitats ecological functions and connectivity, particularly along Long Tom and Coyote creek corridors; ensure sufficient habitat complexity for wildlife
Maintain or restore riparian and wetland habitats ecological functions and connectivity; ensure sufficient habitat complexity for wildlife
Minimize impacts of development on oak woodlands
Protect, maintain and enhance oak savanna and grassland habitats and their connection to adjacent habitats to ensure sufficient habitat complexity and connectivity for wildlife
Remove invading conifers and non-native vegetation from oak savanna and woodlands

Local Conservation Actions and Plans

American Fisheries Society Aquatic Diversty Areas (Camas Swale Watershed)
Fern Ridge Wildlife Area Management Plan
Important Bird Areas of Oregon
TNC Willamette Valley Synthesis Conservation Opportunity Areas
West Eugene Resource Management Plan
West Eugene Wetlands Plan

Special Features

General

Area contains some of the largest remaining fragments of the Willamette Valley's native wet prairies (West Eugene wetlands).
Area provides important habitat for native turtles and migratory birds
Extensive, important habitat for oak and grassland-associated species
There is ongoing acquisition, land protection, and restoration in the West Eugene wetlands by the following partners: BLM, City of Eugene, Lane County Council of Governments, The Nature Conservancy, Corps of Engineers, Natural Resources Conservation Service, ODFW Willamette Wildlife MItigation Program
This area contains many important sites including Camas swale, Fern Ridge Reservoir and Wildlife Area, and the West Eugene Wetlands
This area has been designated as a Grassland Bird Conservation Area.

Previously Associated With

2006 COA ID WV-23 (West Eugene)

Ecoregions

Coast Range

Oregon’s Coast Range, known for its dramatic scenery, is extremely diverse, with habitats ranging from open sandy dunes to lush forests and from tidepools to headwater streams. It follows the coastline and extends east through coastal forest to the border of the Willamette Valley and Klamath Mountains ecoregions

Willamette Valley

The Willamette Valley ecoregion is bounded on the west by the Coast Range and on the east by the Cascade Range. This long mostly level alluvial plain has some scattered areas of low basalt, and contrasts with productive farmland and large urban areas. It has the fastest-growing human population in the state resulting in challenges due to land-use changes.