Providing interpretive education on wetlands and wildlife, panoramic views, water quality, weather, natural resource management, trails, bird watching, recreation, exhibits, displays and an eagles nest, Jackson Bottom Wetlands Preserve is a treasure of the Hillsboro community.
Jackson Bottom partnered with the Port of Portland, ODOT, and Clean Water Services in the wetland mitigation project recently completed at Bobcat Marsh on the north end of the Preserve. Last summer, the first phase included excavation of the “elephant mounds” in the wetland, grading for habitat enhancement, road work to improve access and culvert installation for a slough channel through the marsh. In March 2011, the site was planted with over 30,000 native trees and shrubs. This summer, the major activity was filling the existing Jackson Slough ditch and rerouting the water into the new slough channel to improve hydrology and establish emergent marsh habitat. The earthwork associated with this project has been completed, and planting activities will continue for at least five years.
The project involves a partnership between Clean Water Services and Hillsboro Parks to restore the Jackson Bottom North Viewing Area, including the construction of a multi-purpose trail at a later time. Clean Water Services is currently using the viewing area to stage the construction of a new influent pump station and other improvements at the Hillsboro Wastewater Treatment Plant. The District will restore the viewing area and add various improvements including bike racks, an interpretive kiosk, a multi-use path and a plaza area. The project will be completed in November 2011.
Jackson Bottom has partnered with Ducks Unlimited to restore or create between 55 and 79 acres of wetland habitat in the northeast area of the Preserve. This summer, the project established three large wetland units using soil from the elephant mounds excavation to build berms. The berms will hold water on the site longer into the summer to control the growth of invasive reed canary grass and enhance wildlife habitat. The site has been prepared including cutting and spraying of reed canary grass and disking the rhizomes to discourage regrowth. Jackson Bottom received a Metro grant to manage vegetation on the site, and these funds will be applied to expand ash forest wetland and oak savannah areas in the Preserve.
2600 SW Hillsboro Hwy. Hillsboro, OR 97123|fax: 503-681-6277|phone: 503-681-6206