May Wetland Wander

Date: Tuesday, May 8th

Time: 11:00am-12:30 P.M.

Location: Dragonfly Bend

Walk Leader: Diane Steeck; Wetland Ecologist with the City of Eugene Parks and Open Space 

Dragonfly Bend was historically a wetland prairie, converted in the 1930's to agriculture use. It was restored in 2005 and now includes approximately 32 acres of wetland prairie, 16 acres of vernal pools, 4 acres of upland prairie, and a one-acre ash swale.

Public Parking is available at the adjacent Checkermallow Access (on Meadowlark Prairie) located on the south side of Royal Avenue. 

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. Please come prepared with water, weather-appropriate dress, and boots. 

Edison Elementary students investigating the Pacific chorus frog!

New WREN Program Coordinator!

We’re pleased to welcome our new Program Coordinator, Laura Maloney!

Laura grew up in northern Illinois where she spent her time exploring the wetlands and oak savannahs of her backyard. She graduated from Augustana College with a B.A. in World Religion and Art and from George Williams College with a M.S. in Environmental Education and Parks Administration. From there she moved around the country leading environmental and adventure education programs for youth in the states of Colorado, Washington, Oregon, Iowa, Wisconsin, New Hampshire, and Massachusetts. She has worked as a professional Interpretive Naturalist for over 15 years and has recently returned from living in Amsterdam, one of the greenest cities in Europe and, coincidently, an urban wetland! Laura is passionate about using nature as a tool for learning and enthusiastic about sharing her love of the outdoors with people of all ages. When she is not working, she spends her time practicing kundalini yoga, Ayurveda, painting, dancing, hiking, and gardening. 

Welcome Laura!

Wetland Wander at Golden Gardens!

Join WREN for our monthly Wetland Wander at Golden Gardens next Tuesday, April 10th, from 9:00-11:00am!

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.