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Rare fen protected by Metro's Natural Areas Program

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Metro news release: April 10, 2009
Contact: Heather Nelson Kent at 503-797-1739 or Karen Kane at 503-797-1942

Peach Cove Fen one- of-a-kind in the Willamette Valley

A new property acquisition by Metro secures the remainder of a rare fen located in the Willamette Narrows area near West Linn. Providing habitat to uncommon, varied and high-quality plant communities, the fen is a unique type of wetland that includes a shallow lake with a floating peat mat. According to the Oregon Natural Heritage Program, it is the only remaining fen of its kind in the Willamette Valley.

“Protecting endangered species and one-of-a-kind habitats like this fen is what makes Metro’s Natural Areas Program so important,” said Metro Council President David Bragdon. “I feel fortunate that our voters had the foresight to pass this measure and make the protection of these key aspects of our natural heritage possible.”

Along with the striking fen, the Metro property includes large boulders and rocky piles overgrown with moss and ferns. These features were likely created by the action of the Missoula (or Bretz) Floods at the end of the Ice Age. The fen is ringed with dogwood, willow and Douglas spirea. The property is composed of an older mixed forest with basalt outcrops as well as the fen and the riparian forest surrounding the wetland.  The upland forest is made up of a mix of conifer and hardwood trees including Douglas-fir, Western hemlock, Western red cedar, big-leaf maple and red alder.  The forest floor is carpeted with native plants including ferns, moss, huckleberry, plum, and rose. The property has been well-maintained by the private landowners and is in good condition.

In 1998 Metro succeeded in acquiring 50 acres from the property owners including a portion of the fen.  As part of that earlier transaction, the landowners agreed to Metro’s “Right of First Refusal” for the remaining 13 acres, which Metro has now purchased. The entire property totals 63 acres.

What’s a fen?

A fen is a type of freshwater peat wetland. Fens and bogs are similar because they both develop by the accumulation of organic material – or peat. Peat accumulates because the waterlogged soil in these wetlands lacks oxygen, making it very slow at breaking down the organic material found in the soil. Over time, the organic material builds up, forming peat. The primary difference between fens and bogs is in the source of mineral nutrients which form the layers of peat. In bogs, nutrients come from the air – in fens, nutrients come from the water.

The Metro Council's voter-approved 2006 Natural Areas Program funds land acquisition and capital improvements that protect water quality and fish and wildlife habitat, enhance trails and wildlife corridors and provide greater connections to nature in neighborhoods throughout the Portland metropolitan area. For more information about this program or other habitat restoration projects at Metro's natural areas, visit www.oregonmetro.gov/naturalareas.

Metro, the regional government that serves 1.4 million people who live in the 25 cities and three counties of the Portland metropolitan area, provides planning and other services that protect the nature and livability of our region.

Related Links

Acquiring natural areas

Find out more about the 27 target areas where Metro is acquiring natural areas and trails to safeguard water quality, protect fish and wildlife habitat, and ensure access to nature for future generations.