This full day tour will highlight several rural enhancement projects within the thriving agricultural communities west of Portland. The tour will include national and regional partnerships and the social and technical strategies used to implement and finance this landscape conservation program. Projects will include partnerships with Metro (Maroon Ponds and Carpenter Creek Natural Areas) and NRCS Wetland Reserve and ECREP Programs (Hutchinson Wetland Reserve Project and ECREP’s Duyck-Forest Hills project). The tour will highlight wetland, prairie and riparian restoration projects located along Tualatin River in different stages of restoration from agricultural croplands. Discussion will include partnerships, site preparation, planting strategies to increase diversity, integrating beaver into floodplain design, wildlife habitat for priority species and adaptive management strategies to create resilient ecosystems.
Registration Fee: $100
Equipment and Attire: Field trips will be in a rural and natural environment. Be prepared to cross uneven terrain. Wear sturdy, close-toed footwear, sun protection and sunscreen. We recommend that participants bring extra water.
Itinerary:
8:30 AM Leave Oregon Convention Center for Hillsboro.
9:45 AM Arrive at Duyck-Forest Hills Project (1700-1780 Southwest Lafollett Road, Cornelius)
10:45 AM Leave for Maroon Ponds Natural Area
11:00 AM Arrive Maroon Ponds Natural Area 4001 Southwest Fernhill Road, Forest Grove)
12:00 PM Lunch at Maroon Ponds
12:45 PM Depart for Hutchinson Wetland Reserve Project
1:00 PM Arrive Hutchinson (5937 Southwest Springhill Road, Gaston)
1:45 PM Depart for Carpenter Creek Natural Area (3245 Southwest Anderson Road, Forest Grove)
2:00 PM Arrive Carpenter Creek Natural Area
3:00 PM Return to the Portland Convention Center
4:00 PM Arrive Portland Convention Center