threats

The Creation of Oaks Bottom Wildlife Refuge: An Interview With Mike Houck

by John Sparks In 1959, the City of Portland acquired most of what is now Oaks Bottom Wildlife Refuge. In the ensuing three decades, the City floated various plans to develop the bottomland, while environmental organizations, including the Audubon Society of Portland (now the Bird Alliance of Oregon), The Nature Conservancy, the Sierra Club, and […]

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A Tiny Beetle, A Big Threat: How the Emerald Ash Borer Will Transform Oaks Bottom

In September 2025, an invasive beetle no bigger than a sunflower seed was discovered at the David Douglas Aquatic Center in Northeast Portland. For those who love Oaks Bottom Wildlife Refuge, this news marks the beginning of a profound transformation. The emerald ash borer (EAB) has arrived in Portland, and with it comes the near-certain

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