Forest Park needs strong advocates to speak out on issues, whether it's land use, bond measures, or budgets. The flora and fauna that call Forest Park home cannot attend hearings at Portland City Council or Metro. Friends of Forest Park tracks these isses and takes action in support of the park, bringing a respected and vital voice to park-related matters.

LAND ACQUISITION

What better way to protect Forest Park than to strategically purchase land and add it to existing acreage? In the 1990's, Friends of Forest Park raised over $1 million for the acquisition of 78 acres of privately owned land inside the park that were slated for development. Friends of Forest Park also raised the funds to acquire a 38-acre stand of low-elevation old growth forest to the north of the park that would have been logged. In 2002, we partnered with Metro and Portland Parks & Recreation to purchase a 31-acre inholding in the north end of Forest Park that had plans for development. A more recent acquisition is the 1.5 acre parcel of land at the bottom of Firelane 9 that also had housing plans. We are grateful to the many individual donors who have helped us with these efforts and all of our past land acqusitions.

CONSERVATION EASEMENTS

In partnership with Three Rivers Land Conservancy, FFP provides funds and volunteer support to acquire conservation easements in the Balch Creek Watershed. Friends of Forest Park also works with Trust for Public Land and Columbia Land Trust to identify key targets for acquisition in the Forest Park vicinity. For more information on conservation easements, see Current Priorities.