Metro parks and natural areas were acquired through two voter-approved bond measures and are cared for with money from a voter-approved operating levy. Those measures instructed Metro to purchase land to protect and enhance fish and wildlife habitat, water quality and to create access to nature close to home.
Active restoration and maintenance projects are taking place at virtually every park and natural area to help native plants and animals -- including some that are endangered or under threat -- to once again thrive. And many of the birds and animals that use Metro property to rest, breed and grow are later available for hunters to harvest on other public and private lands.
Visitors have a unique opportunity to experience plants and animals up close in a natural environment at Metro parks and natural areas, from Smith and Bybee Wetlands to Canemah Bluff. A number of people might be present at any given time at Metro destinations, from easily accessible nature parks to natural areas lacking formal access. Metro regularly conducts nature education classes, field trips for students and adults, restoration work, animal monitoring, volunteer activities, work tasks, or other activities at all sites. These activities are not aligned with allowing hunting in parks and natural areas.
Metro values hunting as an important wildlife management tool and sport, and there may be instances in the future in which hunting aligns with conservation and restoration goals.