Nature & Trails
The Tualatin Hills Park & Recreation District manages about 1,300 acres of natural areas, which provide a variety of benefits including ecosystem services, recreation, trails and learning opportunities. The Natural Resources Department serves as the steward of these areas, and also provides:
- Management of wildlife habitat and native plant communities.
- Educational programs, events, and activities throughout the Park District, with the Tualatin Hills Nature Park Interpretive Center serving as the hub.
- Information about and coordination of the Park District's trail network.
- Direction for volunteer and community service projects for environmental education, trail stewardship, and restoration of natural areas for individuals, businesses, or organizations.
For questions about natural areas, trails, or environmental education programs, call 503/629-6350.
Staff
- Bruce Barbarasch, Superintendent of Natural Resources and Trails Management, nature@thprd.org
- Greg Creager, Park Ranger, gcreager@thprd.org
- Melissa Marcum, Natural Resources Volunteer Coordinator, mmarcum@thprd.org
- Scott Hinderman, Park Ranger, shinderm@thprd.org
- Kelly Perry, Park Ranger, kperry@thprd.org
- Julie Reilly, Natural Resource Specialist, jreilly@thprd.org
- Kyle Spinks, Park Ranger, kspinks@thprd.org
Nature Programs
Situated in the 222-acre Tualatin Hills Nature Park adjacent to the MAX Blue Line's Merlo Station, the Nature Park Interpretive Center features hands-on exhibits, a reference library, and miles of trails in the midst of a wildlife sanctuary. Learn about the world around us with educational programs ranging from wildflowers to wildlife. See the Nature Park Interpretive Center Nature Programs page to learn more about these programs.
Additional programs are offered at Cooper Mountain Nature Park , which has a nature house, trails, and 230 acres of prairies, woodlands, and forests.
