Metro makes tracks closing trail gaps in 2010
Metro could have dubbed 2010 the "year of the trail." Natural area deals paved the way for more than two miles of future trails, which will fill gaps in favorite running, walking and cycling paths across the region. Meanwhile, Metro purchased land for a trailhead near Barton Park and opened three miles of trails at the new Graham Oaks Nature Park in Wilsonville.
Find out which trails are coming to your community
 
Science team digs in, plants 165,000 native trees and plants
For Metro’s science team, February doesn’t signify Super Bowl Sunday or Valentine’s Day. It’s planting season, and this year was especially busy. Some 165,000 native trees and plants have new homes at natural areas, helping Metro work toward long-term restoration goals.
Learn about planting season and watch a video
 
Tigard's newest natural area gets a little help from its friends
It might be winter, but the City of Tigard is celebrating its new Summer Creek natural area. The 43-acre site, a forested wetland that’s home to a rich array of wildlife, becomes the city’s second largest park. More than 40 percent of the money to buy the land came from Metro’s natural areas bond measure, including “local share” funds and a Nature in Neighborhoods grant.
Learn about Summer Creek and hear from Metro Councilor Carl Hosticka
 
Metro natural area cast as 'Portlandia' hippie farm
Did you notice the great wildlife habitat at the hippie farm on "Portlandia"? If so, that’s because the spoof hit TV show filmed part of its first episode at a Metro natural area near Forest Park. Metro leases 580 acres to farmers, providing active managers until there’s money to restore or publicly open a property. The three 20-something buddies who run Wealth Underground Farm are enjoying their moment in the spotlight.
Get the whole scoop on Metro’s "Portlandia" connection
 
Northern red-legged frogs 'heart' Metro's natural area restoration
Jelly-like amphibian egg masses can set a scientist's heart aflutter – they show that restoration projects are working at Metro's natural areas. But Metro scientist Katy Weil got an extra-sweet surprise on Valentine's Day, when she discovered a heart-shaped clump of northern red-legged frog eggs at Gotter Prairie.
See the heart-shaped egg mass
 
Red-tailed hawks, bald eagles and James Davis? Must be Smith and Bybee
Metro naturalist James Davis introduces the winter wildlife of Smith and Bybee Wetlands Natural Area in a new "Grant’s Getaways" segment from Travel Oregon. After watching Davis stroll through the 2,000-acre gem, you’ll be tempted to head to North Portland for a visit. The host, Grant McOmie, also gives a shoutout to the Natural Areas Program, which has protected 11,000 acres and counting across the region.
"Get away" to Smith and Bybee Wetlands
Learn more about Smith and Bybee Wetlands
 
Help green Interstate 205, see Metro nature grant in action
If you don’t expect to find trees, runners, walkers and cyclists along a freeway, you haven’t volunteered for the innovative project that’s greening Interstate 205 – thanks in part to a Metro Nature in Neighborhoods grant. Friends of Trees and the Oregon Department of Transportation are teaming up on a three-year project to plant native trees and shrubs along the interstate’s 16.5-mile pathway. In the process, they’re developing a statewide model for roadside landscaping and providing environmental education and jobs for communities of color. Volunteer plantings are scheduled for March 19 and April 2, 9 and 23.
Sign up for a tree planting
Learn about Nature in Neighborhoods grants
 
Go behind the scenes at Chehalem Ridge Natural Area
Don’t miss the Douglas fir forest, valuable oak habitat, Cascade views and beaver ponds at Metro’s largest-ever natural area purchase: Chehalem Ridge, an 1,100-acre forest near Forest Grove. The site isn’t yet open to the public, but Saturday, April 2 is your chance to explore. You can choose a leisurely nature walk or a brisk hike.
Register to tour Chehalem Ridge Natural Area
Learn about Chehalem Ridge

Join Opt In, talk back to your government
Have you ever wanted to share your views about parks, transportation, recycling or other issues that affect your quality of life? Now's your chance. Metro and its partners want to do a better job of learning about what’s important to you and others around the community. Opt In is an online opinion panel created to provide a way for people in the greater Portland-Vancouver area to share their views on issues that matter. As a participant, you’ll have the opportunity to complete two or three short online surveys each month about topics that affect you.
Sign up to share your opinions