Gotter Prairie
Gotter Prairie is an uncommon, wet prairie habitat and a home to rare Pacific Northwest species. Chorus frog, Pacific salamander; Red-osier dogwood, Gary oak; White-breasted nuthatch and Yellow-breasted Chat are just a few of the species living at Gotter Prairie.
This 120 acre property is located approximately 1 mile North of the intersection of Highway 210 and 219 in Scholls, OR. SEE MAP
Students will learn nature awareness techniques that will prepare them for their explorations at Gotter Prairie. Small student groups explore the riparian area of McFee Creek and the Tualatin River as they track animal signs. They learn to identify native prairie and riparian plants as well as get first hand experience with what it's like to be a predator and to be prey. Middle school students will have the opportunity to do water quality testing in McFee Creek and compare their results with other classes'.
Gotter Prairie Background
This property first came under agricultural cultivation as recently as the 1930s and several relatives of the original homesteaders still reside along the creek. A historic mill operated at this site back at one time and Native Americans are said to have camped on the upland area alongside the creek. The property was owned by the Gotter Family from the 1930s until 1994. Sam Gotter and his wife are "very excited to see Metro purchasing land" and to see the restoration of the floodplain and will be glad to see the area become a bird and animal sanctuary. Gotter Prairie is now owned by Metro and was their first purchase along the Tualatin River, part of Metro's Greenspaces Acquisition Program. Gotter Prairie is just one of the many amazing natural areas acquired by Metro with monies from a public bond measure passed in 1995.
Tualatin Riverkeepers first became involved on the site in 2002. Since then, they have been very successful leveraging funds for restoration at Gotter Prairie and encouraging community involvement on the site. The youth education program is one of the many ways Riverkeepers and Metro are making connections between community members and Gotter Prairie.
Brown Natural Area
Brown Natural Area is an 11-acre urban greenspace made up of riparian, upland forest and open-meadow habitats. Brown is home to many native species that are increasingly being pushed out by development of the lower Tualatin River watershed. Students are often amazed to see that this property exists. It is adjacent to Tigard's Bonita Park and while many have visited, few are aware of the plant and animal activity taking place just feet away. SEE MAP
Nestled on Fanno Creek, Western-red cedar make shade for Fringecup and Hairy woodpeckers. Indian plum drop leaves and provide nutrients for the dwindling cold-water Cutthroat trout. Native hedges provide habitat for Oregon fowl...food for the Red-tailed hawk. Mink and Crawdads attempt to make their homes in this improving, though struggling habitat.
Students learn nature awareness techniques that will prepare them for their explorations and help ensure that the next time they pass by a hidden natural space, they will have the skills to discover it on their own! Small student groups examine the riparian area of Fanno Creek as they track animal signs. They learn to identify native prairie and riparian plants as well as get first hand experience with what it's like to be a predator and to be prey. Middle school students will have the opportunity to do water quality testing in Fanno Creek and compare their results with other classes'.
Brown Natural Area Background
This property was also acquired as part of Metro's Greenspaces Acquisition Program and purchased with monies raised from a public bond measure passed in 1995. Tualatin Riverkeepers began restoration work in 2004 with grant monies from Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board (OWEB) and Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW). While these contracts for restoration are complete, Riverkeepers are forming strategic partnerships to continue the important work of restoring native habitat. The youth education program has proven to be a successful link between the community and this natural space.