Eugene Weekly : It’s About Time : 2.4.10

By David Wagner

Pacific Tree Frog Pseudacris regilla

Stepping outside around midnight this time of year, I notice that the big dipper (Ursa Major) is to the right and the big W (Cassiopeia) is to the left of the North Star. By mid-summer they will rotate around into reverse positions. Whatever their orientation, finding them means finding the North Star. Finding the North Star means I can figure out which way I am going without needing technology or instruments.

February marks the quickening of spring blooms in the Willamette Valley. The rainy season will continue for several months yet. Gradually increasing warmth that comes with the gradually increasing day length brings most of the native plants to flower. The rate reaches a frenzy around the equinox, March 20 this year, when the change in day length reaches its most dramatic.

This being an el Niño year, it is a good gamble to start planting those early leafy crops. My first planting of arugula has already sprouted; I’m thinking about an early planting of sugar snap peas. The warmth that comes with el Niño also means the probability of less rainfall, so getting things in early takes advantage of the tail end of the rainy season.

The ponds are full, which brings in a wonderful array of water birds. Cormorants are making a good show, the Canada geese are starting to display their love dances. Tree frogs are singing. For others, love may not be in the air but birthing is happening in winter dens.

David Wagner is a botanist who has lived in Eugene for more than 30 years. He teaches mosses and leads plant walks. He may be reached at fernzenmosses at me.com

A Note From the Publisher

Dear Readers,

The last two years have been some of the hardest in Eugene Weekly’s 43 years. There were moments when keeping the paper alive felt uncertain. And yet, here we are — still publishing, still investigating, still showing up every week.

That’s because of you!

Not just because of financial support (though that matters enormously), but because of the emails, notes, conversations, encouragement and ideas you shared along the way. You reminded us why this paper exists and who it’s for.

Listening to readers has always been at the heart of Eugene Weekly. This year, that meant launching our popular weekly Activist Alert column, after many of you told us there was no single, reliable place to find information about rallies, meetings and ways to get involved. You asked. We responded.

We’ve also continued to deepen the coverage that sets Eugene Weekly apart, including our in-depth reporting on local real estate development through Bricks & Mortar — digging into what’s being built, who’s behind it and how those decisions shape our community.

And, of course, we’ve continued to bring you the stories and features many of you depend on: investigations and local government reporting, arts and culture coverage, sudoku and crossword puzzles, Savage Love, and our extensive community events calendar. We feature award-winning stories by University of Oregon student reporters getting real world journalism experience. All free. In print and online.

None of this happens by accident. It happens because readers step up and say: this matters.

As we head into a new year, please consider supporting Eugene Weekly if you’re able. Every dollar helps keep us digging, questioning, celebrating — and yes, occasionally annoying exactly the right people. We consider that a public service.

Thank you for standing with us!