From the editor: Volunteer opportunities abound in Eugene, and if you haven’t yet found your niche, I’d like to suggest one of my favorite organizations, Friends of Buford Park and Mount Pisgah (FBP), favorite because of the incredible dedication the volunteers have towards their goal, “to protect and enhance native ecosystems and compatible recreation in the Mt. Pisgah area.” This organization rolls up its sleeves and each volunteer hour makes a difference. Many of the longtime volunteers, young and mature alike, deserve more support and even a rest now and then, and they need to know that their work will be carried on. All levels of volunteer rigor exist with FBP, from monitoring an adopted area, collecting and planting seed, watering, and office help, to the physical demands of trail maintenance and invasive species eradication. If you could give even just a little time, it would be so appreciated. Call Val for detailed information or just show up at one of the work parties listed below. Wear appropriate attire and FBP will provide the tools. Val Rogers, Volunteer Coordinator, Friends of Buford Park. 541-344-8350, www.bufordpark.org/

Monday, March 17, 9AM-Noon: General habitat enhancement work. Meet in the Arboretum Parking Lot
Tuesday and Thursday, March 18 and 20, 9AM-Noon: Mid-week nursery work. Meet in the Native Plant Nursery
Monday, March 24, 9AM-Noon: General habitat enhancement work. Meet in the Arboretum Parking Lot
Monday, March 31, 9AM-Noon: General habitat enhancement work. Meet in the Arboretum Parking Lot

West Eugene Wetlands Education Program Presentation of the Final Master Plan Monday, March 17, 6:30-8PM: Rowell Brokaw Architects and the Miller| Hull Partnership will present site and building plans, and a physical model for the Final Master Plan of the West Eugene Wetlands Education Center. They will explain how the project evolved to respond to the input of participants, and show how the Master Plan proposes to restore the site. Come and see this exciting vision for the Education Center, a community accomplishment of people working towards a common goal. All invited to the Eugene Downtown Library. Learn more: www.wewetlands.org

Inside Trees - A look at rare and beautiful woods from around the world. Monday, March 17, 7:30PM: Alan Curtis, a retired forester/botanist for BLM, has been collecting wood for over 50 years, and has sent over 1000 specimens to universities for their studies. He has gathered most of these woods through travels here in the USA and abroad. He will bring some of his most beautiful specimens for viewing. Sponsored by the Native Plant Society. Come, without charge, EWEB Training Room, 500 East 4th, Eugene. More info: 541-746-9478. 

The Klamath-Siskiyou Bioregion by the Siskiyou Field Institute, established on a “stunning” 850 acres in Selma, OR.
Tuesday, March 25, 7:30 PM: The Klamath-Siskiyous offer unusual natural features: metal-rich serpentine and peridotite rocks, a confluence of multiple climactic influences, and a mixed and jumbled geology, all together creating a complex mosaic of habitats, home to diverse plant, animal and bird species. The Lane County Audubon chapter welcomes all, free of charge, to attend the SFI presentation of this interesting bioregion: The Eugene Garden Club, 1645 High Street. Wednesday Wetland Wanders in the West Eugene Wetlands Take casual walks and get out and explore, each second and fourth Wednesday of the month, from 9-10AM. WREN provides binoculars. Wear shoes that can get wet and muddy. Call 683-6494 for more information.
March 26: Meet at the west end of Royal Avenue
April 9: Meet at the Willow Creek Natural Area
April 23: Meet at Stewart Pond

Sunday, March 30, 9:30AM-approx. 5PM: Visit spectacular old-growth forests near Alsea Falls that are threatened by the BLM's WOPR. Carpools depart from Eugene. RSVP required. Chandra at 541-344-0675 or cl@oregonwild.org

The Art of Function:  The Function of Art Costa Rican Butterflies, Moths and Caterpillars Monday, April 7, 7:00PM, Refreshments 7:30PM Presentation: Dr. Jeffrey Miller, a specialist in insect ecology and biodiversity at OSU. Miller will present stunning photos of caterpillars, moths and butterflies, illustrating the roles colors and patterns play in the Darwinian contest of survival of the fittest. Miller has coauthored 100 Butterflies and Moths:  Portraits from the Tropical Forests of Costa Rica, and 100 Caterpillars: Portraits from the Tropical forests of Costa Rica. Public invited, no charge, sponsored by North American Butterfly Association of Eugene/Springfield. EWEB, 500 East 4th Ave, Eugene. Growing Alpines in the "hills" of Holland

Tuesday April 8th, 7:00 PM: Harry Jans, founding member of the Dutch Rock Garden Society, will focus a beautiful photographic talk on his own rock garden, alpine house and tufa wall, including building information and growing techniques. Sponsored by the Emerald Chapter of the North American Rock Garden Society—The meeting is free and open to the public, at the Eugene Garden Club, 1645 High Street. Door prizes and refreshments. Questions? Call Jim, 484-1284.

Discover a beautiful creek, its many waterfalls, and colorful wildflowers on a family-friendly hike. Saturday, April 19th: Oregon Wild invites the public to come along to Sweet Creek Falls, on an easy to moderate hike, covering about 2 miles with a small elevation gain. Learn more about Oregon’s forests and who protects them. RSVP required. Chandra at 541-344-0675 or email: cl@oregonwild.org. Visit the website for more upcoming hikes throughout the year!

Snowy Plover Nesting Season Begins March 15
Southern Oregon Coast– The nesting season for the western snowy plover begins on area beaches March 15 and runs through September 15. During this time some area beaches have access restrictions in place to help protect nests and birds with young. After March 15, ropes and posts will be used to protect snowy plover nests, eggs and chicks, and restrict access to dry sand portions of certain beaches. In these areas, only the wet sand portion of the beach will be accessible to beachgoers. Approximately 18 miles of beach in Oregon are affected by plover recovery efforts.
Dry-sand protection efforts will be in effect for habitat sites at Sutton Beach, Siltcoos Estuary, Oregon Dunes Overlook, Tahkenitch Estuary, Tenmile Estuary (northern Coos County), the North Spit of Coos Bay; Bandon Beach State Natural Area and New River area beaches