Metro buys land along Alder Creek, doubling an area protected as wildlife habitat
News release: June 17, 2010
Contact: Karen Kane - 503-797-1942, Karen.Kane@oregonmetro.gov
A block of protected wildlife habitat in western Multnomah County recently doubled in size, thanks to Metro's voter-approved natural areas bond measure.
Metro now owns 80 acres just beyond the urban growth boundary, along one of Rock Creek's most important headwaters. Alder Creek flows through the three adjacent Metro properties - including 40 acres purchased this month for $838,000.
"This acquisition begins to assemble an anchor site in the Rock Creek area," said Metro Council President David Bragdon. "By stitching together parcels of land, we can improve water quality and wildlife habitat on a larger scale."
About half of the 40-acre property is composed of riparian and upland forest, which hosts red alder, Douglas fir, western red cedar and big-leaf maple trees. The remainder is a field, which Metro scientists plan to restore with native plants.
The new acquisition includes about three-fourths of a mile of land along Alder Creek, which supports winter steelhead and coho salmon. Also, a large elk herd that roams the area has been spotted on the property.
"Opportunities to protect sites of this size and quality are rare," said Metro Councilor Rex Burkholder, whose District 5 territory includes parts of unincorporated Multnomah County. "The land is a valuable resource not only for the animals that live on it, but also the people who live nearby."
Rock Creek is one of 27 areas protected by Metro's natural areas bond measure, which was approved by voters in 2006. The 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 urban areas throughout the Portland metropolitan area. For more information, visit www.oregonmetro.gov/naturalareas.
Metro, the regional government that serves 1.5 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. For more information, visit www.oregonmetro.gov.
Related Links
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.