Press
Jan. 20, 2008 - Oregonian - State Keeps Landslide Risk to Itself
State and local governments fail to act in keeping development out of harms way.
Jan. 07, 2008 - Gresham Outlook - Bike trip will spotlight the greenness of GreshamDec. 18, 2007 - Seattle Times - King County's new flood philosophy: Stop fighting nature
“Rivers don’t negotiate with you. So you have got to figure out what the river’s behavior is going to be, and accommodate that,” said Ron Sims, King County executive. “Nature has the last vote and the longest memory.”
Dec. 10, 2007 - Oregonian - We just keep rebuilding on valuable, unsafe landAfter the second catastrophic flood to hit the Northwest in 11 years, the communities of Tillamook and Chehalis, Wash., once again face the hazards of living and growing in the heart of a natural flood zone.
Dec. 09, 2007 - Seattle Times - Did development, logging set the stage for disaster?For more than a decade in the Chehalis River watershed, developers have been allowed to roll the dice.
Now as the water recedes and residents of Lewis County take stock, many are looking back in time, wondering how much the legacy of development in the floodplain, and clear-cut logging in the upriver drainages, contributed to their woes.
Nov. 30, 2007 - Oregonian - Oregon birds on the brink of extinctionMore than 50 birds that spend at least part of their lives in Oregon – including some common in Portland backyards – are teetering at the brink of extinction, according to a new Audubon Society survey released Wednesday that the group says is one of the most comprehensive looks at birds nationwide.
Nov. 30, 2007 - Oregonian - Like an OSU linebacker, but with wingsWe should heed warnings from the varied thrush, a canary in the coal mine of our environment.
Nov. 29, 2007 - Oregonian - New Metro Acquisition on Johnson CreekNew Acquisition in Gresham’s Springwater Area will protect critical fish habitat.
Oct. 18, 2007 - Oregonian - Chewtification transforms Eastbank EsplanadeBeaver bar – An alder, oak, ash and cottonwood menu draws repeat business for midnight snacks
Oct. 12, 2007 - Oregonian - Green for GreenspaceDonors gift Mike Houck’s work for greenspace.
Oct. 09, 2007 - Portland Tribune - Jackhammers WelcomeDepave.org urges people to see green where it’s gray
Oct. 02, 2007 - Oregonian - Stimson Lumber donates $200,000 to fight Measure 49Big Timber backs the No on 49 campaign.
Sep. 19, 2007 - Metro - Metro Nature In Neighborhoods Capital GrantsMetro is now accepting grant applications for capital projects that re-green and re-nature neighborhoods
Sep. 14, 2007 - Portland Tribune - There’s no regret over great egretActivists’ alarm spurs action that saves migratory bird’s population; habitat’s restored, too
Sep. 11, 2007 - New York Times - Dogs on the Trail, Even on a Leash, Give Birds a FrightSep. 04, 2007 - Oregonian - A river's gathering storm of good news
Op-Ed by Travis Williams, Willamette Riverkeeper
Aug. 31, 2007 - Oregonian - Portland Prepares to Raise Development Fees for ParksProposal would establish a park SDC for commercial development.
Aug. 30, 2007 - Oregonian - Ticket To NatureAudubon’s Explorador Program provides access to nature to children of immigrant families
Aug. 27, 2007 - Forest Grove News-Times - Stimson Lumber Measure 37 Claim near Forest Grove moves aheadAug. 16, 2007 - Medford Mail Tribune - Measure 37 Threaten Hillslope Development in Jackson County
Aug. 14, 2007 - Metro - Connecting Green
Elected Officials, Business Leaders, and Greenspace Advocates gather to expand the regional park network.
Jul. 12, 2007 - KGW News - Measure 49 Campaign Kicks Off!Jul. 11, 2007 - KATU - Freshwater Mussels of Fanno Creek
Biologist Al Smith and Watershed Watch Coordinator Brian Wegener report on urban stormwater threats to Freshwater Mussels in Fanno Creek.
Jul. 05, 2007 - Selwood Bee - New Ross Island plan appears to calm criticsJun. 17, 2007 - Oregonian - That silence you hear is birds . . . disappearing
Nature – Many have declined by at least 50% since the 1960s, due to development, pesticides, cats
Jun. 14, 2007 - Urban Greenspaces Institute - Rutherford Platt Speaks in PortlandRutherford Platt from the Ecological Cities Project discusses his new book the Humane Metropolis at two times and locations in Portland on June 27.
Jun. 08, 2007 - Oregonian - Trail gazingThe Springwater Corridor, our longest and most revealing park: an appreciation
Jun. 01, 2007 - Oregonian - Ross Island gift? Forget it, owner saysRobert Pamplin Jr. reneges his offer to donate part of the land, leaving city leaders to question how serious he was
May. 29, 2007 - oregonian - All this pirate lacks is the parrotSteve Duin on the Piracy of Bob Pamphlin’s Ross Island renege
May. 29, 2007 - Gresham Outlook - Open space grows with land sale, giftPersimmon donates about $5 million in land as part of Metro deal protecting natural areas in the Gresham’s Buttes. The acquisitions bring “Forest Park East” to a total of 950 acres.
May. 27, 2007 - Measure 26-80 Update: Local Share ProjectsMay. 26, 2007 - Oregonian - Ross Island gift: Act III or end of deal?
Donation – Robert Pamplin has changed the terms of his bequest to the city and may have changed his mind
May. 15, 2007 - Portland Tribune - Make our streets work for waterRepresentative Wu and Sam Adams guest column on Green Streets.
May. 08, 2007 - Oregonian - City windfall spares bike, tree projectsWith this extra cash, Potter has enough to sprinkle into most of the council’s priorities, including bikes. The tree project also will get its money.
May. 07, 2007 - New York Times - NYT Real Estate Section picks Portland as best places to Live for its urban greenPortland is #3 best city in the Unitied States (and #1 for young couples) specifically for having “lots of green mixed with its concrete.”
May. 01, 2007 - Audubon Society of Portland - Urban Tree Policy SymposiumApril 28th Urban Tree Policy Symposium for the Portland-Vancouver Region a success!
Sponsored by Audubon Society of Portland, Friends of Trees, PSU Department of Geography, SW Trees Committee, and the Urban Greenspaces Institute.
The Urban Tree Policy Symposium brought together citizens, planners, and elected officials to learn about what can be done to protect and expand urban tree canopy in the Portland-Vancouver region for its multiple values and ecosystem services.
Symposium Documents:
Some Symposium Presentations:
Now Available! Audubon Society of Portland’s 2007 Urban Natural Resource Directory
Apr. 18, 2007 - Oregonian - Greener, gentler streetsThe city has done enough R&D to justify a broader, more systematic use of this innovation
Apr. 13, 2007 - Oregonian - Tigard-area hikers to blaze trails for Fanno Creek GreenwayThe Friends of Tigard-Bull Mountain Trails is sponsoring a five-mile walk across the Tualatin River pedestrian bridge and along trails in Tigard, Durham and Tualatin.
Mar. 27, 2007 - Portland Business Journal - Metro earns highest bond ratings from Moody's, Standard & Poor'sSound fiscal management at Metro yields dividends for natural area acquisition
Mar. 14, 2007 - Appetite for Oregon fish may toughen clean water standardsEnvironmental agencies open debate on Oregon pollution regulations
Mar. 14, 2007 - City of Portland - Portland River Plan ReportThe River Plan’s report Developing the River Plan/North Reach: A Summary of Willamette Greenway Plan Implementation Issues and Solutions is out for public review. This draft report summarizes the key issues and potential solutions that the River Plan is intending to address. Comments on this report are due on March 16, 2007.
Mar. 06, 2007 - Gresham Outlook - Federal funds to help local trailGresham will receive $800,000 to put bridge over Powell Boulevard for the Gresham-Fairview Trail
Feb. 19, 2007 - City of Beaverton - Habitat Friendly Development PracticesThe Beaverton Habitat Friendly Development Practices Guidance Manual (adopted February 12, 2007) identifies Habitat Friendly Development Practices and Low Impact Development techniques applicable in the City and incentives offered by the City to use the techniques.
Feb. 09, 2007 - Portland Tribune - Rain has its hidden costsStorm water, sewer overflows are a constant challenge
Jan. 25, 2007 - Ecological Landscapes Connecting Neighborhood to City and City to RegionPortland State University’s 2007 Metropolitan Briefing Book, Analyzing the Ingredients of a Successful Region, features a chapter on the region’s natural assets by Mike Houck and Jim Labbe
Jan. 12, 2007 - Portland Tribune - City critters adapt to urban landscapeSprawl is making human encounters with wildlife more common than ever
Jan. 11, 2007 - Oregonian - New vistas in parks due travelers by pedal, footOpen spaces – The evolution of a bridge over the Tualatin River spans dollars and decades
Dec. 31, 2006 - Oregonian - Metro buys an acre in Sellwood for its latest greenspace purchaseThe land on Johnson Creek is the first bought after voters OK’d Measure 26-80
Dec. 27, 2006 - FAUNA ALERT - West Linn to adopt new stream and wetland protectionsOn January 11, 2007 the West Linn Planning Commission will hold a public hearing on new proposed stream and wetland protections.
Dec. 12, 2006 - Gresham Outlook - Gresham-Fairview Trail gets boost with new fundsThanks to $2 million in federal transportation funding and the passage of Measure 26-80, Gresham hopes to have more than half of its north-south bike trail done by fall of 2008.
Nov. 30, 2006 - Oregonian - Fanno Creek Greenway will soon gain a new linkTrail – A half-mile section from Oregon 217 to Scholls Ferry Road could be built by next fall
Nov. 22, 2006 - Friends of Ross Island Group FormsA new friends group is being organized to protect, enhance, and restore Ross Island.
Nov. 16, 2006 - Audubon Society of Portland - Green Building for Local Ecosystems? We're not there yet.While offering great potential, green building certification programs fall short in protecting local ecosystems.
Nov. 10, 2006 - Audubon Society of Portland - Shift the Balance!Update the Regional Transportation Plan for Fish, Wildlife, and People
Nov. 09, 2006 - KATU - Floods bring salmon to Sandy bike laneNov. 09, 2006 - Voters, apparently, don't see green or blue as luxuries
Metro’s previous success and accountability pays off in new protections for streams and natural areas
Nov. 08, 2006 - Oregonian - Metro area voters greenlight a new batch of greenspacesBond Measure 26-80 was passing with 58 percent of the vote, according to incomplete returns in Metro’s territory in Multnomah, Washington and Clackamas counties
Nov. 02, 2006 - Blue Oregon - The letter Willamette Week did not print.Transit advocate Chris Smith weighs in on Measure 26-80.
Nov. 01, 2006 - KATU - Preserving open space at issue on ballotVoters will decide this year whether they want to boost their taxes to save green space. Ballot measure 26-80 asks for a little more than $227 million to create wildlife corridors and protect water quality.
Nov. 01, 2006 - Lake Oswego Review - Voters Face Natural Area Bond MeasureOct. 25, 2006 - Clackamas Review - Metro plans new greenspaces push
Some ballot measures affect the here and now, and some look to the future.
Oct. 22, 2006 - Gresham Outlook - Darby Ridge development on hold, may become greenspaceNegotiations under way to preserve steep property as open space (Measure 26-80 could be key to closing the deal).
Oct. 20, 2006 - Stormwater: A Ten Year Retrospective1 to 4:30 p.m. Tuesday November 7, 2006 Metro Regional Center 600 NE Grand Ave., Portland
Oct. 19, 2006 - Measure 26-80 Benefits AllOct. 18, 2006 - Gresham Outlook - Pass Measure 26-80 to protect natural areas and parklands
Gresham residents Jason Howard, Steve Bennett, Kathie Minden, and Lee Dayfield urger East County voters to pass Measure 26-80.
Oct. 17, 2006 - Portland Tribune - Metro bond is well worth costOct. 12, 2006 - Tigard Times - Open spaces bond well worth 'yes' vote
Oct. 12, 2006 - Oregonian - The Future of Ross Island
Mike Houck, Bob Sallinger, and Travis Williams
Oct. 11, 2006 - Skanner - Parks Measure On BallotInitiative would add more greenspaces to Portland metro area
Oct. 09, 2006 - Outdoors NW - Parks For PenniesVote Yes on Measure 28-60 for Natural Areas, Parks and Streams
Oct. 09, 2006 - Metro - Nature In Neighborhoods Grant WorkshopsMetro’s Nature in Neighborhood program will be providing 4 FREE grant writing workshops in October and December 2006.
Oct. 07, 2006 - Jim Labbe - Write a letter to the OregonianOct. 06, 2006 - Oregonian - A safety valve of green
Metro’s bond measure offers a chance to preserve signature places in danger of vanishing
Oct. 05, 2006 - Oregonian - Ross Island Donation ShrinksAgreement – Portland’s mayor accepts Robert Pamplin Jr.’s slimmed down gift of two parcels totaling about 60 acres
See also “Potter, Pamplin strike Ross Island deal” in the Sellwood Bee.
Oct. 04, 2006 - Oregonian - Election 2006: Measure proposes to buy and preserve slices of nature in metro areaSpecial Oregonian Feature on Measure 26-80
Sep. 29, 2006 - News4Neighbors - Fall Naturescaping WorkshopsSep. 28, 2006 - Oregonian - Momentum building for saving streams
Sep. 22, 2006 - Humanmedia.org - Humankind Radio Features Mike Houck, Urban Naturalist
The “Humankind” radio series written and produced for Public Radio by David Freudberg recently featured a segment on Urban Naturalist Mike Houck.
Sep. 14, 2006 - Oregonian - Save natural featuresTigard natural area advocate John Frewing responds to new green building real estate listings and supports Measure 26-80 for Natural Areas, Parks and Streams.
Sep. 10, 2006 - Oregonian - Real estate listings soon to sprout tendrilsPortland marks “green” milestone with environmental certifications
Sep. 04, 2006 - Oregonian - Metro to make case for more parksParks supporters will make the case this fall for protecting natural areas, parks and streams.
Aug. 29, 2006 - Clackamas Review - Spring into ActionConservationists work to protect a slice of natural habitat in the middle of the city
Aug. 21, 2006 - Whole Communities Radio Project - Urban GreenBarbara Bernstein’s Special Radio Feature (July 31) on our urban ecosystem and the growing awarness of its value to individual and community health.
Aug. 10, 2006 - Oregonian - City park volunteers walk a helpful pathSW Portland citizens steward 32-acre Woods Memorial Nature Park.
Aug. 03, 2006 - Portland Tribune - Not all of city is rich in parksCoalition: Make green space within walking distance the goal
Jul. 31, 2006 - Portland Tribune - Voters will see green on their ballotsCentennial, Cully and Argay will get new parks if Metro initiative passes
Jul. 23, 2006 - Blue Oregon - Protect natural areas before they're gone foreverBy Peter Bray of Portland, Oregon.
Jul. 13, 2006 - Oregonian - Ross Island transfer still 'up in the air'Jul. 05, 2006 - New Natural Areas Parks and Streams Website
The Natural Areas Parks and Streams Campaign has launched its new website. Join the growing list of diverse groups and organizations from Audubon Society of Portland to the Metropolitan Homebuilders Association who are supporting the campaign.
Jul. 04, 2006 - Portland Tribune - Trail system still full of weak linksPlan calls for filling the gaps in Portland’s off-road web.
See also: “The trailblazing talk pays off: For proposed St. Johns path, first connections are human ones” in the same issue of the Portland Tribune.
Jul. 03, 2006 - Oregonian - Votes, Money build trailsLetter to the editor from Linda Craig (Audubon Society of Portland, Board Member) and John Bloss (Bicycle Transportation Alliance Board Member).
Jun. 27, 2006 - Oregonian - On Springwater, humans power the daily commuteTrail strategy – The City Council will look at a draft long-term plan to finish the system and improve
Jun. 26, 2006 - Audubon Society of Portland - Regional Target Areas in Wilsonville, Tualatin, Sherwood, and West LinnAlong the Portland Metropolitan region’s southern edge the Natural Areas, Parks, and Streams bond measure targets acquisition and trail development to secure key lands in an emerging system of greenspaces, trails, and scenic waterways.
Jun. 19, 2006 - Audubon Society of Portland - Conservationists Send Letter to "Big Look" Task ForceConservationists including the Nature Conservancy, Audubon Society of Portland, and Defenders of Wildlife send a joint letter to the Big Look Task Force charged to evaluate the Oregon’s Land-Use Planning Program.
Jun. 06, 2006 - Cedar Mill News - Our Creeks, Our Selves: Watershed Tour of Rock and Bronson CreeksJun. 01, 2006 - Audubon Society of Portland - June 2006 Warbler
Protecting the Rock Creek Corridor and Headwaters and buffering Forest Park from future growth
May. 25, 2006 - Oregonian - Urban grassland emerges from dumping groundSong birds have replaced the steady roar of dump trucks. Lush grasslands and small trees hide pipes carrying off methane gas that once fouled the air. Mountains of garbage and debris - eyesores for 50 years - have been covered and converted into an urban prairie teeming with wildlife.
Damascus Buttes, Canyons, and the Clackamas River – Precious Land at Risk
May. 09, 2006 - Oregonian - The salmon run through itFishing for a special gift in the quiet water of polluted Portland Harbor
May. 09, 2006 - City of Portland - Salmon Presence in the City of PortlandCity of Portland Map shows distribution of salmon that rear, spawn, and migrate through the City of Portland
Apr. 13, 2006 - Oregonian - Nature tour geared for bicycling approachFanno Creek – The guided exploration on April 22 will cover 15 to 20 miles
Apr. 07, 2006 - BikePortland.org - What does Metro’s bond measure mean for cyclists?Apr. 06, 2006 - Oregonian - Author takes up necessity of greenspace for our kids
Richard Louv, author of “Last Child in the Woods: Saving Our Children from Nature-Deficit Disorder,” will speak Tuesday at the Coalition for a Livable Future’s fourth annual Regional Livability Summit.
Mar. 31, 2006 - Are these both wetlands?A federal report touting a big gain in wetlands counts artificial ponds. But U.S. and state agencies don’t weigh them equally.
Mar. 30, 2006 - Oregonian - Oak tree's downfall is to stream's advantageWoody debris – Placing trees in streams slows runoff, stabilizes the channel and adds habitat
Mar. 23, 2006 - Oregonian - Buying Stafford Basin land is a priority for bond planMetro – The city lists projects for the regional vote on spending $227.4 million on open spaces
Mar. 23, 2006 - Lake Oswego Review - Metro bond targets StaffordMar. 09, 2006 - Bond Measure and Campaign Materials
Mar. 09, 2006 - Oregonian - Locals identify Nature Park and Trail Projects for Washington County Local Share of Greenspaces Bond Measure
Mar. 08, 2006 - Oregonian - Open-spaces measure before Metro
Natural areas – Councilors will decide whether to put the $227.4 million proposal in front of voters in November
Feb. 16, 2006 - Oregonian - Building on flood plains is just asking for troubleOregonian Commentary by Jim Labbe and Sue Marshall
Feb. 13, 2006 - Oregonian - 'New Look' Requires Seeing with New EyesThe Oregonian’s recent article on Metro’s regional planning initiative (“We’ll squeeze in,” Feb. 3) misses perhaps the most prominent feature of Metro’s polling on citizen attitudes: the high premium that metro-area residents place on protecting the natural environment.
Feb. 09, 2006 - Oregonian - Up Johnson CreekThe odyssey of a city starts with a gurgle and ends with a bang. In between, there’s a mess of trouble—or opportunity
Feb. 09, 2006 - Oregonian - Johnson Creek's health goes with its flowCities working to limit flood damage take nature’s cues, restoring habitat and giving streams their space
Jan. 27, 2006 - Oregonian - Metro OKs route for North Portland trailThe council backs a $7.6 million, 4.8-mile path linking the St. Johns area to Smith and Bybee lakes
Jan. 19, 2006 - Oregonian - Conserving Damascus as American as apple pie - Dean ApostolBoring resident and speaks up for Butte Conservation in Damascus
Jan. 16, 2006 - Tigard Times - Idea of a second greenspaces bond measure is a good oneJan. 16, 2006 - Oregonian - As it plots new parks, Metro seeks direction
Voters get a chance to weigh in on a proposal to pay $220 million for 5,300 acres of wildlife habitat
Jan. 12, 2006 - Oregonian - Metro calls on voters to protect open spaceBond request – Much of the $220 million would help buy Washington County parcels
Jan. 01, 2006 - Oregonian - A wish for the new year: Let's help our kids celebrate the Northwest's natural wonders - Gabrielle GlaserDec. 29, 2005 - Oregonian - SW Neighbors Schifsky and Barnett lead tree protection reform efforts
A group of Southwest Portland residents concerned about trees lost at the hands of developers and individual property owners spent several months looking for reasons and solutions. Now they are sharing information with other neighborhoods and working with city officials to simplify and improve city tree regulations.
Dec. 28, 2005 - Oregonian - METRO BOND MEASURE: Protecting greenspace benefits everybodyOregonian guest commentary by Bob Sallinger, Jim Labbe, and Mike Houck
Dec. 23, 2005 - Portland Tribune - Portland Tribune Editorial: Metro acquisition program pays offPortland-area residents have done more than talk about conserving natural areas and valuable habitat lands. They’ve committed millions of dollars toward the goal of preserving the very quality that makes this region special —its natural heritage.
Dec. 22, 2005 - Oregonian - DEQ maps Ross Island solutionA 3-foot cap of clean soil to seal contaminated material would clear the site for transfer to Portland
Dec. 22, 2005 - Letter to Tigard Times on Tualatin River FloodingDec. 08, 2005 - Oregonian - From a kitchen table to a 645-acre park
Thirty five years ago, a stay-at-home mom led a successful drive for a 645-acre park we know today as Tryon Creek State Natural Area. It ranks as a major achievement of citizen participation. Lucille Beck, who turns 80 next week, remains active with Friends of Tryon Creek. Here’s how she remembers the park’s creation.
Dec. 06, 2005 - Oregonian - Metro may ask voters for levy to expand, maintain open spaceMetro leaders may ask voters for more money to buy park land and natural areas—and to care for acreage purchased over the past decade.
Dec. 02, 2005 - West Linn Tidings - Citizen pressures West Linn to complete Goal 5 InventoryFor six years, neighborhood activist Greg Morse has been lobbying publicly for the city to fulfill one of Oregon’s statewide goals: to identify its wetlands, riparian areas, wildlife, scenic areas, open spaces, natural areas and historic resources.
Dec. 01, 2005 - West Linn Tidings - West Linn Wilderness Park is finding FriendsFriends of Wilderness Park form in West Linn after the illegal placement of a city water pipe through the park.
Nov. 30, 2005 - Clean Water Services stakeholder meeting - Wednesday December 14As a result of our challenge of the municipal stormwater permits, DEQ is requiring Clean Water Services and other permittees to perform a public involvement process when developing their stormwater management plan. The Tualatin Riverkeepers urges you to Get involved!
Nov. 28, 2005 - Bob Sallinger and Jim Labbe Respond to November 22, 2005 Tribune Article "Saving the Suburbs"Nov. 24, 2005 - Oregonian - Warning signs from Forest Park
Recreational use, nearby development, tree deaths, fire risk and almost no budget. Is this urban gem crying for help?
Nov. 13, 2005 - Oregonian - Kayak crusaders persuade polluters to come cleanArmed with plastic bottles and the law, a nonprofit group wins more in penalties than the state DEQ
Nov. 04, 2005 - Willow Creek Restoration Project UnderwayThe wide floodplain of Willow Creek running westward from NW 143rd in unincorporated Washington County is the focus of Clean Water Service’s recent stream and floodplain enhancement work.
Oct. 26, 2005 - Oregonian - Big Four Corners PreservedNeighborhood activsts Linda Robinson and Alice Blatt work successfully with City of Portland to preserve the 114 acre Big Four Corners Natural Area along the Columbia Slough in Wilkes Neighborhood of NE Portland.
Oct. 25, 2005 - Milwaukie River Front SurveyFill out the Milwaukie Riverfront Survey and ask that habitat restoration and open space be given a high priority in the master planning of the new Riverfront Park.
Oct. 12, 2005 - Oregonian - Dreams take root at site of new parkCitizens help restore Errol Heights Natural Area and establish a new park along SE Portland’s Johnson Creek.
Oct. 11, 2005 - Closing the Sellwood Gap: Three bridges to the futureOct. 10, 2005 - Oregonian - Port asked to protect rare haven on river
Conservation groups say Hayden Island’s west end, home to 81 types of birds, is vital habitat
Sep. 29, 2005 - Oregonian - Giving ground in the Gulf CoastThe Oregonian editorializes on the role of natural hazard and environmental planning in rebuilding the Gulf Coast.
Sep. 29, 2005 - Audubon Portland - Metropolitan Greenspaces: A Grassroots PerspectiveUrban Naturalist Mike Houck recounts the grassroots history of the urban greenspaces movement in the Portland-Vancouver region.
Sep. 18, 2005 - Audubon Society of Portland - Audubon Society of Portland Urban Conservation Pamphlet: Desinging With NatureSep. 04, 2005 - Response to Christopher Falvey
In Christopher J. Falvey’s August 28 piece “Urban Sprawl? There’s Plenty of Room,” Falvey perpetuates common false assumptions and over-simplifications.
Jul. 27, 2005 - USA Today - Some Cities Are Finding Money Does Grow On TreesJul. 07, 2005 - Oregonian - Johnson Creek South
A half-mile stretch of Johnson Creek South glimmers as an environmental showpiece
Jun. 24, 2005 - Response to Louv CommentaryA letter to the editor on Richard Louv’s “Kids and Nature: The Great Disconnect” (June 19) challenges us to take seriously children’s loss of daily connection with the natural world.
Jun. 19, 2005 - Oregonian - Kids and natureThe great disconnect
May. 08, 2005 - Oregonian - As Rivers Flow, So Would ProtectionsA new program, Nature in Neighborhoods, aims to sustain habitat along waterways and in other areas where wild animals roam without limiting property owners’ rights.
Apr. 14, 2005 - Oregonian - Anemic Tualatin Basin Plan Risks Its ResourcesWhat happened to the Tualatin Basin Fish and Wildlife Plan? The so-called basin approach, heralded as an opportunity to provide a consistent, watershed-based strategy to protect fish, wildlife and water quality in urban Washington County, has been missing in action the past six months.
Mar. 28, 2005 - Oregonian - Tualatin Basin Wildlife Plan Falls ShortSue Marshall, Executive Director of the Tualatin Riverkeepers, and Jim Labbe, Urban Conservationist with the Audubon Society of Portland, ask “where’s the beef” in the Tualatin Basin Fish and Wildlife Plan? For more info, see the Tualatin Riverkeepers site.
Mar. 10, 2005 - Oregonian - Urge Officials to Stop Street-to-Stream PollutionBrian Wegener, Watershed Watch Coordinator with the Tualatin Riverkeepers, urges citizens to weigh in on the DEQ Municipal stormwater permits up for review and approval this month! For more info, visit the Tualatin Riverkeepers site.
Mar. 09, 2005 - Oregonian - State Backs Permits for Cities, Counties on Storm WaterEnvironmental groups are challenging revised rules for Gresham, Clackamas County and other areas.
Mar. 01, 2005 - Downstream Politics - Portland MonthlyThis article (page 1 – page 2) explores some implications of Measure 37 for protecting watersheds and downstream property rights and values through the example of Johnson Creek Watershed.
Mar. 01, 2005 - Portland Monthly - Downstream PoliticsThis article (page 1 – page 2) explores some implications of Measure 37 for protecting watersheds and downstream property rights/values through the example of Johnson Creek Watershed.
Dec. 13, 2004 - Oregonian - Tragedy of the Commons in Johnson Creek?Jeff Uebel, Chair of the Johnson Creek Watershed Council, argues for consistent, region-wide habitat protections in Metro’s regional fish and wildlife plan.
Nov. 29, 2004 - Oregonian - Alan Yeakley LetterAlan Yeakley, Associate Professor of Environmental Science at Portland State, responds to a Nov. 15th editorial in the Oregonian declaring Metro must ‘soften its approach’ when confronted by developers unhappy over environmental regulations.
Nov. 23, 2004 - Oregonian - Tragedy of the CommonsWarren W. Aney makes the point that a voluntary approach to conservation will lead to a ‘Tragedy of the Commons’, as described in a classic 1968 article in the journal ‘Science’
Sep. 23, 2004 - Arguments Against the Tualatin Basin Plan Don't Hold WaterJim Labbe responds to a Sept. 2nd article by David Nielson claiming the Tualatin River Basin Fish and Wildlife Plan would cause economic harm.
Apr. 05, 2004 - Oregonian - Progress in the Restoration of Fanno Creek Threatened by GreedMar. 30, 2004 - Oregonian - Residents Have Their Say About Plan to Protect Tualatin Basin
Mar. 11, 2004 - Oregonian - Tualatin Basin Plan Weighs Wildlife, Livelihoods
By Laura Oppenheimer. Property owners with varying views on land use check out a Tualatin Basin plan that mixes preservation with development.
Mar. 03, 2004 - Oregonian - Johnson Creek Study Puts Price on BenefitsBy Joe Rojas-Burke. The experimental research tries to express the value of a living ecosystem in dollars and cents. The report, Comparative Valuation of Ecosystem Services: Lents Project Case Study was prepared by David Evans and Associates for Portland Bureau of Environmental Services. Results valued the protection and restoration of Johnson Creek and its floodplain in the Lents Neighborhood as providing over $30 million over 100 years in flood control and air and water purification services.
Feb. 27, 2004 - Oregonian - Trees Polarize Neighbors, DevelopersBy Dana Tim. Neighbors protest when trees are downed, but builders say they need to develop marginal tracts.
Jan. 08, 2004 - Tualatin Basin Faces Building Between a Rock and a Flood PlainBy Dana Tims. Local officials are delineating vulnerable yet buildable land, while builders are guided by federal rules. See additional related articles listed below.
See Also: * Flood Damage in 1996 * Flood Damage in 1996 II
Nov. 01, 2003 - Portland Alliance - Salmon in the City and Healthy Portland StreamsThe November 2003 issue of the Portland Alliance featured Salmon in the City and Healthy Portland Streams by Jim Labbe. The confluence of federal protections for imperiled salmon and Portland’s green consciousness present an historic opportunity to protect and restore urban stream corridors and, with them, an urban landscape more deeply connected to the natural world. But if property rights groups and some developers have there way, the local protections will be rolled-back.
Sep. 01, 2003 - Oregonian - A Critical Big Decision Approaches for MetroOp-ed by Mike Houck
Aug. 28, 2003 - Oregonian - Ideas Flow for Tryon Creek State ParkJun. 01, 2003 - Media Project - The Rivers That Were
OPB radio recently featured the two part series Rivers That Were by nationally accliamed radio producer Barbara Bernstein of Portland Oregon. Part II of the series Beaver Taught Salmon How To Jump includes a report on urban stream recovery efforts in Portland.
May. 28, 2003 - Oregonian - River Zones Little Threat to Home ValuesMay. 05, 2003 - Building at Boring Lava Domes Resisted
Discusses the efforts of Gresham Citizens to apply the lessons learned during the 1996 Flood and protect scenic, wildlife, and water quality in and around the Gresham Buttes. See additional related articles listed below.
Apr. 21, 2003 - The Effect of Environmental Zoning and Amenities on Property Values: Portland, OregonSummary of a study by Dr. Noelwah Netusil of Reed College.
Feb. 14, 2003 - Portland Tribune - Bridlemile Stewards At War With IvyProfiles the Bridlemile Creek Stewards, led by Greg Schifsky and Steve Mullinax, doing the real work to restore their Fanno Creek tributary.
Feb. 01, 2003 - Connections -The Coalition for a Livable Future’s Winter/Spring edition of Connections is entitled Healthy Watersheds, Healthy Communities (Pages 1-8 and 9-16) featuring several articles on urban natural resource planning, conservation, and restoration around the Portland-Metro region. The articles include:
- Urban Stormwater: A Persistant Environmental Problem, by Sue Marshal, outlines the challenge of tackling urban stormwater run-offs the impacts the quality and quantity of water and sediment delivered to our streams.
- Willamette River: A Symbol of Opportunity, by Travis Williams, presents the history and enduring tension between “those who seek to tame and use the river, and those who seek a clean river that functions naturally.”
- In North Macadam – Brownfield or Greenfield, Mike Houck describes the plans for on the 140 acre North Macadam redevelopment site: “an unparalleled opportunity” to integrate the downtown core and the Willamette River “in a new, normative urban landscape where excellence in design of the built and natural environment is coequal.”
- Planning for Natural Resources: The Missing Link in Watershed Recovery by Jim Labbe outlines the central role of Metro’s Fish and Wildlife Habitat Planning coupled local natural resource planning for the long-term protection and restoration of watersheds in the Portland-Metro Area.
- In Columbia River Pastoral Letter: A Call to Action On The Columbia, Ed Gallagher from the Archdiocese of Portland Justice and Peace Commission, discusses the research, listening and reflection that led to the Columbia River Pastoral Letter, an “internationally recognized, award winning project to educate, organize and inspire people in the Columbia River Watershed for years to come.”
Discusses the public investments in restoring fish passage and habitat in this important tributary of Johnson Creek.
Dec. 11, 2002 - Oregonian - ODS Sponsors Johnson Creek Restoration ProjectDescribes another Johnson Creek landowner spending their own time and money in cooperation with Johnson Creek Watershed Council to restore salmon habitat in Johnson Creek.
Sep. 16, 2002 - NPR -A news report by Kathleen Schalch presents the problem of stormwater runoff from farm fields and city streets polluting and degrading the nation’s waters. The story profiles Wisconsin’s efforts to set new rules limiting pavement, curtailing development along streams and improving watersheds.
Jul. 24, 2002 - Willamette Week -Reckless impacts to Kelly Creek demonstrate AGAIN the need for better standards and enforcement to protect the public’s interest in clean water.
May. 21, 2002 - Reed Canyon RestorationRecent restoration of the Reed Canyon in the Crystal Springs Headwaters in lower Johnson Creek Watershed highlights the efforts of landowners and citizens to protect and restore an urban watershed and the multiple benefits it provdes to present and future generations.
May. 20, 2002 - Oregonian - Sour Grapes Over Metro Yields Faulty ConclusionsJim Labbe responds to Clayton Hering’s May 3, 2002 Oregonian Op-ed in a May 20 Oregonian Op-ed, “Sour grapes over Metro yields faulty conclusions.”
Apr. 08, 2002 - Oregonian - Benefits to HomeownersLeslie Labbe and Jim Labbe present the benefits to homeowners in protecting stream corridors, Oregonian Public Commentary, April 8
Mar. 26, 2002 - Portland Tribune - Streamside Care Benefits Us AllBy Peter Lavigne
Feb. 01, 2002 - Connections -Six Myths about Growth Management are debunked in the Coalition for a Livable Future’s Winter/Spring 2002 issue of Connections . Mike Houck refutes myth #5: “To reduce sprawl, urban wetlands and greenspaces must be developed.”
Feb. 01, 2002 - Response to "United We Stand"Urban Naturalist Mike Houck with the Audubon Society of Portland responds to the mischaracterizations on the “United We Stand” website.
- Original Response
- Six Myths about Growth Management are debunked in the Coalition for a Livable Future’s Winter/Spring 2002
A must read: this talk by Donovan Rypkema on the so-called ‘property rights movement’ by a self-ascribed, “crass, unrepentant, real estated capitalist Republican type.”
May. 01, 1999 - Oregonian - DEQ Fines Developer Highest AmountApr. 14, 1999 - Oregonian - Urban Creek Holds Good News: Salmon
Discusses community efforts and challenges in restoring Johnson Creek Salmon.
Mar. 04, 1999 - Oregonian - DEQ Gives California Developer Week to Clear up Erosion at Subdivision