Wetland Wander

Tuesday, September 12th

9am-11am 

Golden Gardens Park

Though summer may be coming to a slow close, the wildlife and sunshine are still out in all their wild glory!

Join WREN for our monthly Wetland Wander at Golden Gardens this month!

Golden Gardens Park provides year-round water and protected habitat for the western pond turtle, and they are often spotted sunning on logs in its ponds as well as dragonflies and birds aplenty.

Directions to Golden Gardens Park: From Hwy 99, west on Barger, Right on Golden Gardens Street. Meet at the intersection of Golden Gardens Street and Jessen Drive.

WREN Wanders are casual walks through various West Eugene Wetlands sites each second Tuesday of every month. These exciting opportunities are FREE to the public and provide observation, education and inspiration in our surrounding natural spaces. WREN staff and volunteers will guide this walk. WREN will provide binoculars. 

For more information: 

call 541-338-7047 

email info@wewetlands.org

Family Exploration Day

Saturday, September 2nd 

10am- 2pm

@ Meadowlark Prairie

The summer is almost over and school will be starting soon. What better way to enjoy your last bits of summer than a fun-filled family adventure out in the West Eugene wetlands?

Discover the West Eugene Wetlands with your family in a day of unstructured, independent exploration!

We provide a backpack of binoculars, field guides, bug net, hand magnifier, and bug boxes, you bring your curiosity and sense of adventure! Drop by anytime between 10am and 2pm to check out your pack. WREN staff and volunteers will be on hand to answer your questions. You can complete the wetland scavenger hunt or just explore on your own, it is up to you!

This event is FREE and families are encouraged!

Questions?

Contact Us: 541-338-7047 

info@wewetlands.org

Nutria

Nutria in the Wetlands 

  

There are many reptiles, amphibians and mammals that live in our Eugene wetlands. In the 1930’s, Nutria were introduced to Oregon because they were a quick and easy way for farmers to make money in the fur trade. However, the fur trade did not last long and died out in the 1940’s. When the fur trade collapsed the nutria were released and the population quickly spread throughout western Oregon.

Nutria are commonly mistaken for a beaver. Although they have some similarities, they are also very different. Nutria’s are smaller animals with a thin, pointed tail. Their fur ranges from yellowish to dark brown, they have prominent orange incisors and are about two feet long. Their eyes, noses and ears are set high on their head and they can adapt easily to different habitats.

Nutria are an invasive species and they have become a problem in the wetlands. Numerous methods have been used to try and control the growing population but there has not been a solution yet. The Institute for Applied Ecology has a cookbook that offers recipe for invasive species including the nutria. To find out more about the cookbook, check out this website: https://appliedeco.org/product/theyre-cooked-recipes-to-combat-invasive-species/

On August 8th, we will be having our monthly wetland wander and this month will be focused on mammals found in the wetlands, such as the nutria. Join WREN at Wild Iris Ridge at 9am to learn more.