Urban Initiatives

Downtown Portland - Ellie Bolas

The Audubon Society of Portland has focused from the start on protecting nature close to home, and our aim is no less than creating the planet's greenest city, right here in the Portland-Vancouver metropolitan area.

West Hayden Island
This 826-acre natural area provides critical wildlife habitat at the confluence of the Willamette and Columbia rivers. The Port of Portland has sought to have the City of Portland annex and rezone the island so it can convert the habitat into marine industrial terminals. The Port's plans would turn the island into a sea of parking lots, railroad tracks and roads - leaving only heavily fragmented and disturbed habitat remnants behind.

Access to Nature
The Audubon Society of Portland is committed to ensuring all residents of our metropolitan region have access to nature in their neighborhoods.

Central City Plan 2035
Portlanders will have an opportunity to help ensure strong environmental protection measures are put in place for future development in the downtown core of the City surrounding the Willamette River. Right now, the City is finalizing the Central City Plan, which will implement policies that will guide the growth of downtown Portland for the next 18 years. 

Comprehensive Plan
The City of Portland is currently updating its Comprehensive Plan, the land use plan for the City that will guide future growth and development over the next twenty years. It is absolutely critical that the community engage directly in the Comprehensive Plan process to ensure that good decisions are made.

Willamette Superfund Site
The Portland harbor stretch of the Willamette River is highly polluted in both its river sediments and upland areas, and as such, the river was listed as a federal Superfund site in December 2000. The polluted area stretches from near downtown Portland almost to the Columbia River, some 11 river miles.

Ross Island
Ross Island is an oasis of nature in the middle of our city. Located just one mile upstream of downtown Portland, it is home to nesting Bald Eagles and Great Blue Herons, and at least 50 species of birds use the island throughout the year. Our vision is one that integrates a protected and restored Ross Island, respect for Ross Island's past and present industrial contributions, and unparalleled opportunities for people to respectfully enjoy nature in the center of our urban landscape.