Fires, Weeds and Finances
Spanning 5,400 acres, Forest Park shapes the Portland region’s character, identity and health. It helps ensure clean air and water, abundant wildlife habitat and access to nature for many city residents. The park is also valued for its own sake as an expression of the region’s deep and essential connection to wild places.
Today, however, Forest Park faces pressures unimagined when — sixty years ago — City Club’s “Committee of Fifty” had the original vision to set this forest aside as the pinnacle of Portland’s park system. In fact, only half of Forest Park is currently considered in good condition, as a suite of invasive weeds and changing forest dynamics gravely impact this once pristine jewel.
On March 20, Michelle Bussard, executive director of the Forest Park Conservancy, and Meryl Redisch, executive director of the Audubon Society of Portland, will identify the strategies and partnerships required to help improve the park’s ecosystem, watershed, trails and wildlife corridors and ensure a healthy Forest Park for future generations.
