Natural areas, parks and trails

Planning and conservation › Natural areas, parks and trails

Metro works with partners to protect natural areas, restore sensitive habitat for fish and wildlife, and plan the region’s parks and trails.

Lights, camera, nature!

Hit the "play" button, and you'll be transported to a few of the forests and trails, clearings and creeks protected by Metro's voter-approved Natural Areas Program. The "It's Our Nature" film makes you a virtual tourist on a handful of the 11,000 acres that voters have protected over the course of 16 years and two bond measures.

Opportunities, challenges ahead

Get acquainted with Metro's 15,000 acres of natural areas, parks and trails. A new report details Metro's portfolio of land today and outlines possibilities for restoring, maintaining and publicly opening these special places in the future.

Read the report

Oregonians want to take a hike without leaving town, drink sparkling clean water and coexist with nature, from wild salmon to wildflowers. Find out how Metro's voter-approved Natural Areas Program makes this vision a reality by protecting land, restoring it and giving you opportunities to explore.

Protecting natural areas

Voters asked Metro to buy the region's most special land, before it's too late. Habitat is protected across the Portland metropolitan area, ensuring that nature is always close to home. Learn how two bond measures have preserved 11,000 acres and 90 miles of river and stream banks, and supported hundreds of community projects. Learn more

Restoring the landscape

Restoring the landscape is good for fish, other critters – and people. That's why Metro's science and stewardship team works with partners to improve water quality and wildlife habitat. As a volunteer, you can help oust invasive plants and replace them with native trees and shrubs. Learn more

Planning parks and trails

Metro plans future parks and stitches them together with trails. As a founding member of The Intertwine Alliance, Metro also works with community groups, businesses, local governments and everyday nature lovers to create a world-class outdoor recreation network. Learn more

Natural areas interactive map

Experience Metro natural areas through photography, video and writing on an interactive storytelling map. From Forest Grove to Troutdale and North Portland to Wilsonville, the region is filled with tales of the land. Go

Metropolitan Greenspaces Master Plan

The Metropolitan Greenspaces Master Plan (1992) details the vision, goals and organizational framework of a regional system of natural areas, trails and greenways for wildlife and people in our region. This aspirational plan set the foundation for subsequent bond measures and trail plans. Download the plan

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