A Powerful Connection to Tualatin River National Wildlife Refuge

As populations grow west of King City and Tigard, Beef Bend Natural Area presents the opportunity to protect more than two miles of forest along the Tualatin River and support valuable oak woodland habitat. Just across the river from the Tualatin River National Wildlife Refuge, Beef Bend connects and expands several parcels of valuable habitat, home to wetlands and towering ponderosa pines. Acquired by Metro in 2018 with funds from the natural areas bond measure that voters approved in 2006, Beef Bend Natural Area will ensure the presence of valuable floodplain and riparian forests, wetlands and open space that support native wildlife and plants as urban development continues nearby.

Beef Bend Gallery

The Beef Bend project will protect and enhance acres of valuable oak woodland habitat.

In most portions of the site, a healthy riparian buffer separates the farm fields from the river, allowing agriculture and ecological enhancement to coexist.

At virtually every Tree for All site, invasive plant removal is part of project implementation. Ivy has a notable presence at Beef Bend.

The Tualatin River National Wildlife Refuge is just across the river from Beef Bend.

Ponderosa pines tower over Beef Bend Natural Area.

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The Site

Size: 145 acres
First planting: TBA
Stream length: 2 miles
Plant communities: Riparian Forest, Oak Woodland, Oak Savanna/Prairie, Shrub or Emergent Wetland, Upland Forest

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Habitat Connectivity

Protects Water Quality

The Challenge

Himalayan blackberry, ivy and other invasive plants have taken root in the riparian corridor. Fast-growing Douglas firs restrict access to sunlight for the Oregon white oaks below. When Metro purchased the Beef Bend property for restoration, an old machine-repair shed sat atop more than 20 cubic yards of contaminated soil. Other old structures and an old septic system remained. Approximately 70 acres continue to be leased for farming, so ecological enhancement strategies will have to take agricultural needs into account.

The Transformation

Restoration at Beef Bend has just begun. Already, the machine shed and its contaminated soil have been removed, along with a tennis court, a large pole barn and a bridge. As work continues, a 500-foot stream that flows to the Tualatin River will likely be improved, removing man-made material from the stream and reversing incision along its banks. Wetlands will benefit as drainage tile is broken up.

As restoration continues, Beef Bend Natural Area will offer the region much-improved wildlife habitat, rare oak woodlands, and ecological continuity with the nearby Tualatin River National Wildlife Refuge, Chicken Creek, Atfalati Prairie/Atfalati South and Heritage Pine Natural Area. The property offers an excellent example of how a long-term vision, combined with collaboration among local, regional and federal partners can maintain the vital benefits of floodplains and riparian corridors as populations grow in the Tualatin Valley.