9:30 AM - 3:30 PM If you've been dreaming of Douglas fir forests, mountain views and beaver ponds since Metro bought the new Chehalem Ridge Natural Area in January, you're in luck.
Metro is accepting registrations for summer tours of this 1,100-acre property near Forest Grove, the largest acquisition in the history of two voter-approved bond measures designed to protect water quality, wildlife habitat and outdoor recreation opportunities across the Portland metropolitan area.
Saturdays, July 10 and 24
Nature walk: 9:30 a.m. to noon Explore with a Metro naturalist to see the plants and animals at Chehalem Ridge. Listen and watch for birds and discover which mammals are around by looking for the evidence they leave: tracks, trails, scat, feeding signs, burrows and other clues. Of course, plants will be easy to see since they don't move. Bring binoculars.
Restoration walk: 1 to 3:30 p.m. Join a Metro scientist for a behind-the-scenes tour of the techniques, tricks and tools for managing a large, complex forest. Learn how the landscape and forest will change over generations, see the work that's already been done to preserve rare oak trees and duck into the forest to experience life under the canopy.
Total Design Shop