Great Partners for a Greater Mt. Pisgah

The Nature Conservancy
The Friends have entered into a contract with The Nature Conservancy (TNC) to provide native plant materials and restoration services for the 1,270-acre Willamette Confluence Project (formerly owned by the Wildish family). 

“Restoration at the Willamette Confluence is on a fast track,” remarked TNC’s Jason Nuckols. “ We’ve never before had plant materials available this early in the process.  The Friends’ nursery is a real asset.” 

In addition, the Friends continue to provide public access to the Confluence Project through volunteer-led tours. “The level of public interest in this project is unusually high,” Nuckols said. “By partnering with the Friends, TNC gains valuable capacity to accommodate public interest in this unique property.”  Register for a tour at www.bufordpark.org/tours.

Mount Pisgah Arboretum
As the weather warms up, people are naturally drawn to Buford Park’s four miles of riverfront along the Coast Fork of the Willamette River. Fisherfolk, swimmers, and others frequently explore the cool waters and lush riparian forest between the west parking lot inside the Arboretum and the north parking lot near the Friends nursery.

Staff and volunteers from FBP and MPA are working together on a joint project funded by REI to enhance this area by removing invasive weeds.  “It’s great to work with the talented, committed stewards of the Arboretum. REI’s support helps strengthen our partnership and coordination at Buford Park,” said FBP Executive Director Chris Orsinger. “Removing weeds enhances this area while reducing the threat of spreading these weeds to other parts of the park. ”

Lane County Parks
It’s a new era of greater collaboration between the Friends and Lane County Parks! In Fall 2010, the Friends worked with Lane County employees to help restore the South Meadow floodplain and build the new interpretive trail. In the North Bottomlands, Lane County and FBP’s stewardship crew helped control blackberries to improve the site for events. In July 2011, FBP and LCP signed a new partnership agreement that provides clarity and stability to a complex working relationship.

We welcome and appreciate the hard work of two key new staff at the Lane County Parks Department, Parks Manager Mike Russell and Natural Resource Analyst John Moriarty.

Click here to view Mike Russell speak at the Friends 2011 Fall Celebration.