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Greenbelt representative details nearby conservation projects, urges Philomath collaboration
Summary
A Greenbelt representative told the Philomath council the nonprofit has protected thousands of acres in the Willamette Valley and highlighted two nearby properties — Lupin Meadows (58 acres inside Philomath’s urban growth boundary) and Oak Creek Preserve (acquired 2022) — as opportunities for habitat restoration, trails and community education.
A Greenbelt representative briefed the Philomath City Council on the land trust’s work in the Willamette Valley and described two properties close to town that the group is stewarding and restoring.
“Not everybody comes into a conversation really having experience with different land trusts,” the Greenbelt representative said, then explained that about 1,000 land trusts across the U.S. have protected roughly 61,000,000 acres and that Greenbelt has protected “over 6,000 acres” locally.
The presenter said Greenbelt focuses on climate resilience, community well‑being and social justice, and that stewardship and habitat restoration are central to the organization’s work. The representative described Lupin Meadows as a 58‑acre property inside Philomath’s urban growth boundary that Greenbelt acquired in 2005 and 2007 for upland and wet prairie conservation. The talk noted a recent prescribed burn there led by the Philomath Fire Department and volunteer stewardship activities such as trail building.
The presentation also covered Oak Creek Preserve, which the speaker described as a recently acquired property (completed in 2022) that fills a “missing middle” in a regional trail and natural‑areas corridor. Greenbelt said it is finalizing trail corridor components and planning restoration work meant to benefit local species and expand public access.
The presenter emphasized Greenbelt’s education and volunteer programs, saying the organization works with universities and local schools, hosts free outings and trains volunteers for stewardship and youth education. The talk noted roughly 500 volunteers participated last year and that Greenbelt runs frequent public walks and learning events.
Council members thanked the presenter and discussed opportunities for collaboration on access and trail connections from Philomath into the larger regional system. The Greenbelt representative said the organization’s door is open for future conversations about parks, trails and other partnerships.
