Pulling weeds helps establish native vegetation in the Whilamut Natural Area

From ODOT- 

The Whilamut Natural Area surrounds the Willamette River Bridge project on the river’s north bank.  ODOT is helping the city of Eugene and its Citizens Planning Committee to restore the area to its natural state as an upland prairie.

Since we began the bridge project, our contractors have removed more than two acres of weeds, which keeps construction traffic from spreading them to other parts of the natural area.

Some cleared areas are being landscaped with native plants while others are being seeded. In all cases, weeding will continue until the new native plants are established and can “shade out” undesired vegetation.

Here’s an area where weed removal is complete and maintenance continues while  native plantings become established in their new homes.  

When the landscaping is complete in 2014, the Whilamut Natural Area around the bridges will be greatly improved through the efforts of ODOT and its local partners.