Resolution No. 26-5642

Page 1 Resolution No. 26-5642 BEFORE THE METRO COUNCIL FOR THE PURPOSE OF RECOGNIZING THE PROTECTION OF 20,000 ACRES OF HABITAT AND PARKS FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS ) ) ) RESOLUTION NO. 26-5642 Introduced by Chief Operating Officer Marissa Madrigal in concurrence with Council President Juan Carlos González WHEREAS, parks and natural areas are an essential part of the Portland region’s quality of life, a unique asset that supports the region’s health, well-being, livability and shared prosperity; and WHEREAS, protected lands are the basis for essential regional outcomes, clean water, wildfire resilience and clean and safe parks; and WHEREAS, voters in the Portland region have repeatedly demonstrated their support for these outcomes, by approving regional and local funding to acquire, operate and steward our collective natural legacy for future generations; and WHEREAS, since 1995, voters have approved three parks and nature bonds to acquire and restore lands and three operating levies that are essential to how we care for them; and WHEREAS, this portfolio of protected lands is made possible by continued collaboration with the region’s park providers and conservation community. Metro partners with Tribes, conservation partners, and local, state and federal park and natural area providers and managers in and beyond the region, in the acquisition and stewardship of public lands; and WHEREAS, Metro’s portfolio of lands, which are open to all, regardless of background, demographics and income, includes over 100 sites of protected habitat of upland forests, headwaters, oak prairie and 34 developed parks, boat ramps and historic cemeteries that provide important community gathering spaces; and WHEREAS, Metro’s portfolio includes 195 miles of stream bank on acquired lands, enabling riparian restoration projects that support cold, clean, flowing water feeding the region’s major rivers including the Tualatin and the Clackamas, which provide drinking water to nearby communities; and WHEREAS, at any given time, Metro is restoring roughly 7000 acres of oak prairie, upland forest, stream and fish projects and wetland management, accruing multiple ecological benefits to water quality and habitat connectivity and helping to create wildfire resilient landscapes across the region; and WHEREAS, Metro has acquired over 2000 acres to date with the 2019 Parks and Nature Bond, with more to come; and WHEREAS, threats to public lands are growing across the nation and in Oregon, as the federal government weakens protections for national parks, monuments, forests, rivers and lakes, wilderness areas and other treasured places; and WHEREAS, these threats are compounded by the effects of climate change, invasive species, and other threats that degrade the health of plant and animal communities and contribute to the growing risk of catastrophic wildfire, smoke and extreme weather in our communities; and ) ) ) Page 2 Resolution No. 26-5642 WHEREAS, in these times, it is more important than ever that we recognize and celebrate our shared achievements in protecting and caring for parks, trails and natural areas, and recommit to this purpose so that the region’s rivers, forests and habitat remain healthy for generations to come; and BE IT RESOLVED THAT: 1. The Metro Council proclaims October 1 an important milestone in celebrating 20,000 protected acres and thanks voters for their ongoing support to protect and care for these irreplaceable places; and 2. The Metro Council urges the People of Metro to recognize and recommit to the essential mission of protecting and caring for our public lands, here and beyond the region. ADOPTED by the Metro Council this 1st day of October 2026. Juan Carlos González, Council President Approved as to Form: Carrie MacLaren, Metro Attorney