The Wilsonville City Council on Oct. 6 adopted a Natural Areas Management Plan that inventories the city’s natural parcels, ranks habitat quality and establishes management objectives intended to guide stewardship, restoration and recreational access.

The plan catalogues 14 city‑owned natural areas larger than 0.5 acres, documents baseline habitat condition (classified as poor, fair or good), and maps habitat types such as riparian forest, oak woodland and upland forest. The council approved the plan by a 4‑0 vote.

Why it matters: The plan gives the city a consistent framework for investing limited stewardship funds, prioritizing habitat restoration work where it will be most effective, managing wildfire risk at the wildland‑urban interface and preparing for emerging pests such as Mediterranean oak borer and emerald ash borer.

Key elements of the adopted plan

- Inventory and condition assessment: Staff and consultants surveyed city‑owned parcels, measured species diversity and tree/habitat quality, and used satellite imagery and soil maps to delineate habitat types.

- Six management objectives: (1) enhance native vegetation and ecological processes; (2) control invasive and noxious weeds; (3) improve ecosystem resilience to climate change; (4) reduce wildfire risk; (5) proactively plan for emerging pests and disease; and (6) provide safe, accessible recreation and interpretive opportunities.

- Strategy toolkit and funding: The plan recommends integrated pest management, native planting, fuel‑reduction planting and targeted mechanical or chemical treatments where appropriate. It lists potential external funding sources, including the Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board, Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, Metro, the Oregon Invasive Species Council and private foundations.

Council action and staff notes

- Adoption: Councilor Carolyn Berry moved to adopt resolution 3213; the motion was seconded and passed 4‑0.
- Implementation: Natural‑resources staff said the plan will guide parks and public‑works coordination and partnerships with Metro and other regional organizations (for example, on Grand Oaks Nature Park and Coffee Creek wetlands work).

Speakers (attribution whitelist)

- Kerry Rappold — Natural Resources Manager, City of Wilsonville (government). First referenced Oct. 6, 2025, at the staff presentation.
- Lauren Smith — Project Ecologist, Ash Creek (consultant). First referenced during the Ash Creek presentation.
- Cam Oster — Consultant, Ash Creek (consultant). First referenced during the presentation.

Clarifying details and figures (from meeting)

- Inventory approach: Staff filtered city tax lots to areas greater than 0.5 acre, then assessed on‑the‑ground vegetation and habitat function to identify 14 city natural areas for management consideration.
- Habitat condition: Sites were scored and grouped as poor, fair or good to align restoration investment with expected return.
- Cost guidance: The plan provides generalized, per‑acre cost ranges for restoration by condition and recommends the city pursue competitive grants and partner financing for multi‑year projects.

Searchable tags:["natural-areas-management","wildfire-risk","invasive-species","oak-woodland","habitat-restoration"]

Provenance:{"transcript_segments":[{"block_id":"block-13946.92","local_start":0,"local_end":120,"evidence_excerpt":"Resolution number 3213, a resolution of the city of Wilsonville adopting the natural areas management plan.","reason_code":"topicintro"},{"block_id":"block-15042.905","local_start":0,"local_end":110,"evidence_excerpt":"The motion passes 4 0. Thank you. Thank you. Appreciate it.","reason_code":"topicfinish"}]}