Protecting habitat and water quality
Planning and conservation › Regional planning and policy › Nature in Neighborhoods › Protecting habitat and water
As part of its Nature in Neighborhoods initiative, Metro created a fish and wildlife habitat protection plan that integrates the conservation and economic goals of the region's communities.
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Habitat inventory
Learn about Metro's habitat inventory that identified 80,000 acres of significant natural areas. Use an online tool to see if a property is included in the inventory.
Habitat protection model ordinance
Metro has drafted a model ordinance to help cities and counties comply with habitat protection requirements. Conceptual diagrams illustrate how habitat conservation areas would be affected by the model ordinance.
The Tualatin Basin plan
A consortium of eight cities, Washington County, Clean Water Services and the Tualatin Hills Parks and Recreation District, in coordination with Metro, developed its own fish and wildlife habitat protection program for the Tualatin Basin.
State of the Watersheds monitoring report
The State of the Watersheds monitoring report tracks and monitors the health of our regional watersheds over time. This report helps determine the region's success in protecting wildlife habitat and water quality.
keep nature in neighborhoods
Nature in Neighborhoods capital grants
Metro is now accepting grant applications for capital projects that re-green and re-nature neighborhoods.
Nature in Neighborhoods restoration and enhancement grants
Metro funds projects that connect citizens to their watershed through hands-on restoration activities and environmental education.
Visit REIN.org
Share information and network with people and organizations working to protect, restore and monitor the region’s natural resources at the Regional Environmental Information Network.
Need assistance?
more tools for protecting habitat
Nature-friendly development
Learn more about nature-friendly development practices that benefit the environment and your business.
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.
Sustainable living
Make the region greener at home, in your garden, at the store and on the road. Sustainable living renews rather than depletes the planet's resources and Metro can show you how.
Volunteer
As a Metro volunteer, you will be directly involved in improving and protecting the region's great places for people, wildlife and future generations. Share your energy and ideas and make your own unique contribution.
Mimic nature
Nature-friendly development
Using nature-friendly development practices protects our natural assets as we grow by reducing the impact of development on natural resources. Also called green or low impact development, nature-friendly development practices look beyond the building envelope and focus on land development and site design that mimic nature's processes.
Learn more about nature-friendly development