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<td><h2>Project Name: The Spencer Creek Biodiversity Reserve</h2>
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<strong>Background Information:</strong> 
The Spencer Creek Biodiversity Reserve is a private property in Lane Co., OR owned by the Novick family. The entire property encompasses 257 ac, of which 115 ac are being managed to conserve oak and prairie habitats, which are being threatened by conifer encroachment and invasive weeds. Restoration activities began in 1998, and the work is ongoing. Adam Novick is managing and implementing many of the restoration activities himself. He has received support from several conservation organizations and government agencies, including: the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, The American Bird Conservancy, The Nature Conservancy, the Walama Restoration Project, the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, the Oregon Department of Forestry, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 

<p><strong>Goals and Objectives:</strong>
 </p>


<p><strong>Restoration Methods and Activities:</strong> 
The Novicks' overarching goal is to conserve the biological diversity of the property. Highest restoration priority is being given to Oregon white oak/ponderosa pine woodlands and upland prairie habitats. However, other tree species such as incense cedar and Pacific yew are being retained, to further enhance plant community richness and maintain special habitat elements for wildlife. The Novicks also wish to conserve the aesthetic nature of open woodlands and prairies of pre-settlement landscapes. To support these goals, the Novicks also seek to bring attention to opportunities to save these habitats by reducing regulatory disincentives for conserving or maintaining them on private land.</p>

<p><strong>Restoration Methods and Activities</strong>
Douglas-fir has been selectively logged to release oaks.  Where harvesting is not feasible, undesirable conifers are killed by girdling their stems. Invasive weeds such as Himalayan blackberry, English hawthorn, and Canadian thistle are controlled by hand-pulling and spot spraying with glyphosate. Some lower limbs are being pruned to reduce the risk of a crown fire on the site. Restoration progress is monitored by photography at permanent photopoints. 
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<p><strong>Lessons Learned:</strong>
Adam recommends assessing the understory before undertaking any potentially ground-disturbing work, to identify and protect populations of sensitive native flora. Avoiding soil-disturbances will avoid exacerbating weed problems. 
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<p><strong>Further Information:</strong>
More information about the Spencer Creek Biodiversity Reserve can be obtained in the Oak
Restoration Database maintained by the Oregon Oak Communities Working Group (<a
href="http://www.oregonoaks.org/">www.oregonoaks.org</a>). </p>


<p><strong>Acknowledgements:</strong>
Project information and photos were contributed by Adam Novick, Eugene, OR</p>

<img border=0 width=339 height=255
src="../pics/webpics/spencer2.jpg" v:shapes="_x0000_i1025"></p>

<p><img border=0 width=343 height=257
src="../pics/webpics/spencer4.jpg" v:shapes="_x0000_i1026">

<p>Restoration progress at the Novicks’ Spencer Creek Biodiversity Reserve is being documented by photography at permanent photopoints. The pair of photos above was taken to record before and after conditions in the vicinity of a legacy oak. 
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