Learn about an inspiring local example of green infrastructure and how it affects wildlife, community, and water quality.

Grab a bite and a beverage while you're here-Happy Valley Station has more than 30 beer taps and 12 food carts to choose from.

About the talk:

Fernhill Wetlands, a beautiful example of habitat restoration that benefits wildlife, can also provide a vital service to the community by treating wastewater naturally. This 600 acre wetland near the confluence of Gales Creek and the Tualatin River contains essential marsh, lake, and riparian habitat and is host to thousands of migrant and resident bird species. Join Portland Audubon’s Avian Conservation Program Manager, Joe Liebezeit on Thursday April 27 at 7 p.m. to learn more about the innovative Natural Treatment Systems (NTS)/Habitat Enhancement Project at the Fernhill Wetlands site in Forest Grove, and learn how Portland Audubon and its team of community scientists are learning how the bird community is responding to the habitat enhancement efforts.

Clean Water Services has transformed the site in an ambitious effort to enhance wastewater treatment by creating 90 acres of open water and emergent wetland habitat that will cool wastewater and provide diverse habitat for a variety of bird species while saving ratepayers money. This project builds on the success of other high-profile NTS wetland projects at wastewater treatment plants, such as Arcata Marsh in California and Talking Water Gardens in Albany Oregon and could be a model for other facilities across the nation.

This event is organized in partnership with Water Environment Services of Clackamas County, the Johnson Creek Watershed Council, the North Clackamas Urban Watersheds Council, The Wetlands Conservancy, and the Audubon Society of Portland.