If you have an appetite for outdoor adventure, consider a getaway that satisfies your hunger for the great Oregon outdoors and teaches you more about your community too. Discover the Portland Region’s “Intertwine” where it’s easy to connect with nearby nature.
“The Intertwine is a name for the Portland area’s network of trails, parks and natural areas,” noted Metro’s Dan Moeller. Dan is Metro’s Natural Area Land Manager; the agency that manages much of the 14,000-plus acres of parks, trails and natural areas acquired thru two voter approved bond measures.
“You can find everything from beautiful wetlands to oak woodlands to prairies and upland forests,” added Moeller. “You can find a little bit of everything and it’s really magnificent land.”
The Intertwine is growing all of the time too.
In fact, recent additions include: Cooper Mountain Nature Park near Beaverton, Graham Oaks Nature Park near Wilsonville and Mount Talbert Nature Park in Clackamas County.
Each site is distinct, each offers special features and each is connected as natural space and outdoor environmental classrooms.”
“That’s exactly what the Intertwine is,” said Moeller. “It goes beyond bureaucracies and boundaries and it works among varied agencies, communities and cities to bring all of these parks and natural spaces together. Citizens can go out and enjoy them as seamlessly and easily as possible.”
Mike Wetter is Director of the Intertwine Alliance, a group of more than 50 public and non-profit agencies plus many private businesses. The Alliance has created a new Intertwine website that provides maps, directions and tips so you can explore the wild places.
“You don’t have to drive an hour to get to nature,” said Wetter. “It’s right here where we live and we can enjoy it as a part of our everyday lives.”
And What’s More:
“Wild in the City” is a book co-published by the Portland Audubon Society and Oregon State University Press that will give you a new appreciation for Oregon’s outdoors. Mike Houck, MJ Cody and Bob Sallinger co-edited and wrote essays for the impressive collection of writings and practical nature-finding “ramblings.”
“The book is really educational for people who enjoy our parks,” noted Cody. “But if they lack a sense for the northwest – that life-long depth – that’s what we also provide in the book.”
More than 100 writers contributed to the project that features well know wildlife areas such like Sauvie Island and lesser known areas such as Fernhill Wetlands where flocks of geese fill the sky. Whether you are a long time resident, a newcomer or just passing thru Portland, you will fall in love with ‘Wild in the City.’ Meet writers who contributed to the book at the annual Wild Arts Festival in November at Portland’s Montgomery Park.
