Project Proponent: Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife
Year Acquired: 2013
Conservation Values Protected: When South Coyote was acquired in 2013, the property had been in agriculture use for more than four decades, and most of the native vegetation had been replaced with grass seed fields. Although the property had been manipulated over time, the property still supported remnants of native riparian forest and wet prairie habitats along a portion of Coyote Creek. The riparian forest contains a number of mature Oregon white oaks. Coyote Creek supports populations of the Oregon conservation strategy species like western pond turtle, and native cutthroat trout. Several seasonal ponds and backwater areas on the property currently provide habitat for waterfowl, herons and several other bird and mammal species. Restoration of the wet prairie portions of Coyote South property will also provide opportunities for the recovery of endangered birds like streaked horned larks, which currently have a thriving population in this area, foraging waterfowl, grassland birds, and rare plants. The property is adjacent to ODFW's Fem Ridge Wildlife Management Area, City of Eugene conservation property, Willamette Wildlife Mitigation Program properties, and effectively connects these areas and increases the size of protected conservation values and habitat in this area.
Acres Protected: 309
Access: Open to the public
Proposed ODFW Additions to Fern Ridge Wildlife Area: South Coyote II and III
