Project Proponent: The Nature Conservancy
Year Acquired: 2014
Conservation Values Protected: These properties protect and support the Willow Creek Preserve and they are managed by The Nature Conservancy. This preserve represents an anchor site within the larger West Eugene Wetlands Conservation Area, and is recognized as the best remnant of wet prairie in the southern Willamette Valley. Willow Creek Preserve also serves as one of two potential functioning networks of Fender's blue butterfly in the south recovery zone as defined by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Recovery Plan for Prairie Species of Western Oregon (USFWS 2010). The property's priority upland habitat also supports nectar species used by the adult Fender's blue butterfly, and its larval host plant Kincaid's lupine, listed as threatened under the federal Endangered Species Act. The upland prairie habitat on the property provides suitable habitat for many migratory and resident bird species of concern such as the Western meadowlark, and vesper and grasshopper sparrows.
Other conservation values of this site include, but are not limited to, diverse and high-quality native riparian and upland native vegetation communities that are the basis of the food chain and serve important roles in climate change through carbon sequestration, soil quality and productivity, biodiversity, air quality, water quantity (flow levels), and water quality (including but not limited to water quality parameters such as toxins, temperature, and sediment load).
Acres Protected: 175
Access: Open to the public
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