January 16: Oak and Prairie Restoration: Fire Resilient Landscapes

Natural areas are vital to our wellbeing. Spending time in nature is linked to both cognitive benefits and improvements in mood, mental health, and emotional wellbeing, according to the American psychologist Association. Not only are natural areas vital to us as humans, they are critical to providing habitat for plants and wildlife. Willamalane staff will share their experience implementing large restoration projects at various natural areas, including Thurston Hills Natural Area and Dorris Ranch, to improve conditions for both humans and wildlife. Staff will discuss some threats, such as wildfire, to our local natural areas and what Willamalane is doing to try and address them. You’ll hear about Willamalane’s efforts to balance habitat restoration work with recreation and creating fire resilient landscapes in Springfield.

Fraser MacDonald works as a Natural Resource Planner for Willamalane Park and Recreation District in Springfield, Oregon. Willamalane’s mission is to deliver exception parks and recreation to enrich the lives of everyone we serve. In his role, he provides project planning and implementation of restoration and management of Willamalane’s natural areas. Fraser has over 15 years of experience working in the Willamette Valley to steward our public resources such as wetlands, parks and natural areas, watershed, and water resources for the benefit of the public. Fraser holds a Masters in Planning, Public Policy and Management from the University of Oregon.