Urban Refuges in Action
By Kim Strassburg, USFWS
What, exactly, happens at an urban refuge?
The idea might come across initially as an oxymoron to some, but that is far from the truth.
Tualatin River National Wildlife Refuge is located in Portland, Oregon, and serves as an excellent example of a place where even a city-sized community can engage with nature in a meaningful way.
While a group of 8 to 10-year-olds work on nature photography, Portland Community College conservation biology students explore the refuge trails and interact with staff to learn about wildlife management and conservation careers.
Students expolore the Refuge. (Photo: USFWS)
While pre-school groups make crafts in the Discovery Classroom and walk the trails, teens from a North Portland Youth Employment Institute program explore the Refuge with a volunteer naturalist.