Upcoming Events
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Wetland Wander:
About the Walk:
Join WREN, Oregon Parks and Rec, and MFWWC on a walk through Elijah Bristow State Park! This three-mile walk meanders through a cottonwood forest with views of the Middle Fork of the Willamette River and then into Douglas-fir forests and oak woodlands. It continues along scenic Lost Creek and the Channel Lake which can offer views of waterfowl, beaver, and our local favorite, the western pond turtle. Throughout the walk, we will discuss local plant and animal species, restoration efforts, and the educational programs that the park hosts. The trail’s terrain is flat and composed of compacted gravel and natural earthen surface. Some muddy spots may be present so bring good footwear.
Wander Location:
Wander Location: Elijah Bristow State Park *meet at the end of the road by the restrooms, by the Big Leaf Maple Group Site; click here for Google Maps pin
Directions:
From Eugene, take I5 S toward Roseburg. Drive about 7 miles and take Exit 188 toward OR-58 Oakridge/Klamath Falls. Continue on OR 58 for about 10 miles. Turn left onto Wheeler Rd and follow the road until you reach the bathrooms/Big Leaf Maple Group Site.
Walk Leaders: Steve Hancock (he/him) and Emma Garner (they/she)
Steve is an avid outdoorsman with a love for the diverse ecosystems of Oregon. He graduated with a BA in Anthropology from Temple University in his home state of Pennsylvania. After living in the beautiful mountains of Colorado for five years, he decided to check out what Oregon had to offer and fell in love with the Pacific Northwest. He has been a Park Ranger with Oregon State Parks since 2016 where he leads interpretive programs and events related to biology, ecology, geology, history, archaeology, and astronomy. When Steve is not at work he is playing music, hunting, fishing, gathering wild edibles, or hiking with his wife and baby boy.
Emma was born and raised in the Willamette Valley. Following their passion for playing and learning in the outdoors, Emma attended Oregon State University and graduated with a B.S. in Fisheries and Wildlife. Emma’s early career was spent traveling across the Pacific Northwest monitoring fish populations and freshwater habitats. In 2021, Emma joined the Middle Fork Willamette Watershed Council as the Regional Education Program Manager. The Regional Education Program supports and leads environmental education activities that provide youth across Lane County the opportunity to learn about local ecosystems and build stronger relationships to the outdoors through education and stewardship. Emma’s favorite part of their job is encouraging a sense of playfulness when learning. Outside of work, Emma enjoys reading, hiking, and family adventures with their dog.
Upcoming Events!
National Public Lands Day
When: Saturday, September 27 from 9am – 12pm
Location: Stewart Pond Disc Golf Course (4099 Stewart Rd Eugene, OR 97402)
Join WREN and the BLM for a morning of restoration! We will work on service projects to maintain the course and parking areas. Work may include installing posts and securing parking lot perimeter cable and posts, maintaining posts for signage at parking lot and throughout the golf course, picking up trash, managing and removing vegetation, and cutting and removing downed branches or trees. All ages welcome! Visit the NPLD website’s event page for more information!
A special thanks to Connie Fehlman’s Edward Jones Office for providing refreshments for this event!
Questions? Please contact BLM Assistant Field Manager: cnichols@blm.gov or (971) 283-0682.
We will see you there!
Fall Bike Ride and Restoration Day
When: Sunday, October 12 from 10:00am – 1:00pm
Location: Meet at Campbell Community Center, 155 High St, Eugene, OR 97401
Join WREN, City of Eugene Parks and Open Space, SHIFT Community Cycles, Walama Restoration Project, University of Oregon Natural Areas Program, and Coldfire Brewing Co. for a community Bike Ride and Restoration Day along the Ruth Bascom Bike Path on Sunday, October 12 from 10am – 1pm! We will meet at the Campbell Community Center before being led out on a bike ride by SHIFT to the different project sites. Pick a project offered by one of the partners to work on or check out a couple. If you don’t have wheels, Parks and Open Space will have a project site just a short walk from our starting location. Tools will be provided at each site and all ages are welcome! We’ll finish things off at Coldfire Brewing Co., right next to the starting location, for discounted beverages and a good hang!
Day of Schedule:
10:00am: Sign in, Instructions, and Project Options + Bike Safety with SHIFT
10:15am: Bike ride to the project sites led by SHIFT Community Cycles along the Ruth Bascom Bike Path. Pick a project to work on or check out more than one!
12:30pm: Wrap up projects and head back along the bike path to Coldfire Brewing Co.
1:00pm: Relax, hang out, and enjoy a discount on your beverages courtesy of Coldfire!
Scan the QR codes on the flyer to the left to view the bike routes to each project site from our starting location.
Questions? Please reach out to info@wewetlands.org. RSVP is appreciated, but not required. See you there!!
Wings on Willamette Bird Festival
When: Sunday, October 12 from 12 – 4pm
Location: Alton Baker Park Shelters, 200 Day Island Rd, Eugene, OR 97401
We will start at 12:00 noon with two bird outings — a wander around the park and an All-Abilities Bird Outing near the shelters by the river. Festival activities will be from 1:00-4:00. There will be activities for children including creating bird masks, games, and scavenger hunts. Take a tour of the Native Plant Nursery at 1:00. Join our trivia game and win prizes. There will be live music and food carts.
Several organizations will be there to share information with our community members about projects, how to get involved, and ways we can help birds, pollinators, and environmental health. Organizations expected at the event are Coast to Cascades Bird Alliance, Cascades Raptor Center, Mt Pisgah Arboretum, McKenzie River Trust, Beyond Toxics, WREN, Nearby Nature, Wild Birds Unlimited, Lane County Queer Birders, and Willamette River Keepers. Many thanks to Bird City Oregon and UWSWCD for their support of the festival! Look for more details including a map and bird walk descriptions at Wings on Willamette.
Our Eugene Bird Friendly Community Coalition came together to meet the goals of the Bird City Oregon designation program. Our Eugene application highlights the impactful actions being taken to (1) protect and restore habitat, (2) reduce threats to birds and other wildlife, (3) engage and educate community members, and (4) increase sustainability. We chose from a menu of bird friendly actions that a community can take to meet the Bird City requirements. Our application is fantastic—we have twice the required number of actions!
Eugene Environmental Film Festival- Youth Day!
When: Sunday, October 19 from 11am – 1:30pm
Location: Ridgeline Montessori School – 4500 W Amazon Dr, Eugene, OR
We’re teaming up with our amazing friends at BRING Recycling, Eugene Environmental Film Festival, and the Cascades Raptor Center for a hands-on, eco-filled day for kids and families!
Join the games and mission-filled nature walk and explore the wonders of local wildlife with WREN.! Get creative with upcycled art projects led by BRING! Check out bird-centric artifacts from the Cascades Raptor Center and learn about our feathered neighbors! Enjoy youth-friendly short films that inspire action and wonder.
Let’s grow the next generation of changemakers — one film, one walk, one craft at a time.
For questions, please contact:
Rachel Schneiderman, Programs Coordinator at the Willamette Resources and Educational Network (WREN) at info@wewetlands.org or call 541-338-7047.