Abernethy and Newell Creeks
Planning and conservation › Natural areas, parks and trails › Protecting natural areas › Acquiring natural areas › Abernethy and Newell Creeks
Protecting undeveloped lands along Abernethy and lower portions of Newell Creek will protect water quality and help native fish such as native cutthroat and steelhead.
Goals and objectives
Learn about the goals and objectives for habitat and water quality protection in the Abernethy and Newell Creeks target area. View maps illustrating the Metro Council's priorities in this area and learn more about the importance of the area to our region...More
A diverse upland of forested property is secured for fish and wildlife
With the help of the Trust for Public Land, Metro purchased 107-acres of forested land in Clackamas County located off of S. Henrici Road in the Abernethy Creek Watershed Basin in August 2007. The property contains tributaries to Abernethy Creek and provides important habitat for the plants and animals that live there. The natural area is comprised primarily of an upland forest of red cedar, Douglas fir, big-leaf maple and red alder with a healthy understory of fern, snowberry and salmonberry.
The property was purchased through an option secured by the Trust for Public Land prior to the passage of Metro's 2006 natural areas bond measure. The option gave Metro exclusive rights to purchase the property from the seller, once voters approved the funding source. "This acquisition was a joint effort between Metro and the Trust for Public Land," said Metro President David Bragdon. "It is a great example of a government agency and a nonprofit organization working together to benefit the public."
The Trust for Public Land is a national nonprofit organization working to protect land for parks and open space. One of their goals is to help public agencies acquire important land from willing sellers at a fair value. The organization does not own or manage land over the long term. They form partnerships with agencies like Metro that are willing and able to assume ownership of the property after it has been secured.
Need assistance?
Natural Areas Program
503-797-1545
naturalareas@oregonmetro.gov
Related Links
Abernethy and Newell Creeks goals and objectives
Learn about the goals and objectives for habitat and water quality protection in the Abernethy and Newell Creeks target area. View maps illustrating the Metro Council's priorities in this area and learn more about the importance of the area to our region.