Eugene weekly., March 03, 2011, Page 9, Image 9

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Park.
The conservation group says that the
decision to allow the parking lot was a
discretionary land use decision. “As such,”
Connecting Eugene member Paul Cziko
says, “the city is required to hold a hearing
to assess whether it’s allowed under the
conditional use permit.” The lot and the
building would be right on the river, but
Connecting Eugene says the Research
Park’s master plan specifi cally calls for
development to occur south of the railroad
tracks before construction occurs on the
riverfront.
“What we’re seeking is an offi cial public
hearing over whether this complies with
the master plan,” Cziko says. Opponents of
the project also hope that a public hearing
would force UO President Richard Lariviere
to answer “questions of substance,” which
they say have not been addressed. Lariviere
did not respond to a request for comment by
the time EW went to press.
Supporters of the plan say that the
riverfront site isn’t natural or pristine and
should be developed, but Connecting
Eugene and others say that the riverside
land should be improved with natural
enhancements, not by constructing an offi ce
building.
Cziko, a science graduate student, says
he has no opposition to the construction of
the private offi ce buildings for research,
but an alternate site should be selected with
open public oversight. “Connecting Eugene
is not against development,” Cziko says,
“we think that the public needs to have
meaningful input on this.” Information
about Connecting Eugene’s proposal for
alternative sites can be found at www.
connectingeugene.org — Shannon Finnell
and Camilla Mortensen
IT’S ABOUT TIME
BY DAVID WAGNER
O
ne of the great treasures of
getting old is that my memory
gives me a surge of
pleasure each time I see a cycle
of nature repeating itself in a
familiar pattern. The neighbor’s
daffodils coming up; cottonwood
buds releasing that fragrant balm on
warm days; pussy willows getting fuzzy.
Towhees searching for a nest; Bewick’s wren
warbling; migrating robins foraging for worms.
W OODLAND VIOLET , V IOLA GLABELLA
Just like last year.
Most Oregonians are blessed with having natural areas close to home to walk to.
We live where close by are little patches of woods and ponds that sport wildlife and
native flowers, the parks and countryside. Walking in them every couple of days, no
set pattern but often, keeps a soul in touch with the pulse of the natural world.
March is one of the most unpredictable for us in the Willamette Valley. Apple and
cherry crops are determined by vagaries of weather. Suddenly warm and sunny days
will inspire premature frenzies of gardening activity.
Woodland herbaceous perennials are visibly vigorous with the passage of
Equinox, responding to stronger, longer daylight coming in before the trees in the
canopy spread out their leaves and shade the understory. The emerging bugs that
eat the burgeoning vegetation will provide nourishment for mommy birds gathering
energy to make eggs.
The migratory song birds arrive in tune with the current season, as sensitive
indicators as any weather station. They can’t predict what’s coming next week, but
are reliable markers of the present status of the biological season.
David Wagner is botanist who lives and works in Eugene. He teaches moss classes and leads nature walks. He may
be reached at fernzenmosses@me.com
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EUGENE WEEKLY MARCH 3, 2011 9