Here's a little news for all Portland neighbors to celebrate:
Portland Parks & Recreation (PP&R) has recently acquired properties which will expand three existing natural areas within the city, including Forest Park in northwest Portland, Buttes Natural Area in outer southeast Portland, and Woods Memorial Natural Area in southwest Portland. Though the acquisitions are small, altogether less than four acres, they will provide vital buffers protecting the edges of the natural areas from the surrounding development.
All three parcels were purchased with Portland's share of Metro's voter-approved 2006 natural areas bond measure funds. In addition, the City of Portland's Bureau of Environmental Services Grey to Green Land Acquisition Program contributed to two of the purchases.
"These new acquisitions will help the City preserve these important natural areas, where some of our most pristine environmental habitats and natural resources lie," notes Parks Commissioner Nick Fish. "Our partnerships with Metro and the Bureau of Environmental Services are invaluable as we work together to protect these vital watershed areas from further development."
Buttes Natural Area
A recent .59 acre acquisition adjoins the 100-acre Buttes Natural Area in the Johnson Creek Watershed. This new acquisition buffers protected land along Johnson Creek, enlarges one of the City's largest natural areas, and protects the site from further development.
Portland Parks & Recreation will take over management of Buttes Natural Area, one of the first properties purchased by Metro in the voter-approved 2006 Natural Areas Bond measure. Although no formal public access is available, there will be opportunities for volunteer stewardship at Buttes Natural Area in the future.
The new acquisition, which was purchased for $140,000, was funded through City of Portland Bureau of Environmental Services Grey to Green Land Acquisition Program, and Portland's share of the 2006 natural areas bond measure funds.
Forest Park
Two separate in-holdings (privately held property within the boundary of the park) which together total .22 acres were acquired in Forest Park on the slope above the St Johns Bridge. The purchase protects the long term future of the Forest Park Forest from potential development on private land within the existing parkland. At over 5,000 acres, Forest Park is one of the largest natural areas in the region and provides habitat for more than 112 birds and 62 mammal species.
The new acquisition, which was purchased for $10,000, was funded by Portland's share of Metro's voter-approved 2006 natural areas bond measure funds.
Woods Memorial Natural Area
Approximately three acres of undeveloped property has been added to Woods Memorial Natural Area in southwest Portland. The acquisition helps buffer the current natural area, as well as enhance wildlife habitat and water quality.
The property, which was purchased for $450,000, was funded through City of Portland Bureau of Environmental Services Grey to Green Land Acquisition Program, and Portland's share of Metro's voter-approved 2006 natural areas bond measure funds.
For more information
For more information on PP&R's natural areas acquisition program, visit www.portlandparks.org.
