Willamette River Natural Area Landscape Management Plan

 

Willamette river natural area landscape

Willamette River Natural Area Landscape Management Plan

Purpose

The purpose was to develop a landscape management plan (the Plan) that supports the long-term vision established in the Campus Plan for the Willamette River Natural Area designated open-space. The Plan provided Campus Planning and Facilities Management (CPFM) more detailed guidance on landscape maintenance activities, habitat management, and restoration efforts to preserve and improve habitat values while accommodating compatible education, research, and recreation uses.

Process

CPFM staff representing the offices of sustainability, campus planning, and facilities services served as the management team for the project. Development of the Plan was led by JK Environments, a local consultant with expertise in projects that evaluate, enhance, and restore the natural environment. As part of the process a habitat advisory team (HAT) comprised of local experts and key stakeholders provided technical expertise and input to inform the Plan.  

Habitat Advisory Team

Peg Boulay, University of Oregon, Environmental Leadership Program
Jane Brubaker, University of Oregon Grounds
Jeff Diez, University of Oregon, Department of Biology
Michael Geffel, University of Oregon, Department of Landscape Architecture
Ryan Kilgren, Kilgren Water Resources
Christer LaBrecque, McKenzie River Trust
Shelly Miller, City of Eugene
Bruce Newhouse, Salix Associates
Jason Nuckols, The Nature Conservancy
Abby Pierce, University of Oregon, Student Representative, MLA 2022

Scope

The Plan is specific to the Willamette River Natural Area designated Open-space, which is approximately 24 acres in size. Areas outside of the designated open-space were considered for context but were not the focus of the Plan.

Background

A number of planning efforts for the university’s riverfront land have been completed, including amending the Campus Plan creating the Willamette River Natural Area designated open space. The Campus Plan establishes a long-term vision for the natural area. A landscape management plan provided more detailed guidance for CPFM to direct maintenance and management efforts toward realizing the vision established for the natural area along the river. Future conceptual designs or master plans may look at more dramatic, large scale changes to the riverfront when there is funding, however, implementing a landscape management plan provided an opportunity for a gradual transition of the open space to align with the goals in the Campus Plan.

Project Overview

 

For more information or to provide feedback, please contact:

Aaron Olsen, ASLA

Landscape Planning Associate

aaolsen@uoregon.edu

(541) 346-5564