It’s easy to forget for those of us in the bubble, but it isn’t just Reedies who use the Canyon. Birdwatchers, runners, people walking their dogs or taking their kids out on a quick hike, locals getting around in the neighborhood – just because this is private property doesn’t mean that it’s not open to the community at large to enrich and enjoy.
Recognizing this, Reed College Canyon has been featured in the latest edition of the “Wild in the City” trailbook, which provides detailed guides for exploring the city’s many natural areas and their trail systems. The entry highlights the deep restoration efforts that have taken place over the past decade since the last edition of the book, which fixated on the invasive species that had currently been (more) rampant and a peculiar reference to naked Reedies rising out of the mud.
Excerpting:
“Lying in the heart of the beautifully manicured Reed College campus, the Reed College Canyon remains an island of untamed nature in the center of an urban area. Essentially untouched from the 1930s to 2000, the canyon has been the focus of an ambitious habitat restoration project for the past decade. This work has restored the canyon to its “natural” state while improving opportunities for visitors to appreciate its beauty. […] The Reed Canyon is a local treasure – a carefully managed wilderness in the heart of the city.”
The entry also includes lengthy descriptions of the numerous native species, including many rare ones, that can be found in the Canyon, from coyotes to skunk cabbage to coho salmon. There is also a map of the current trail system, which has gotten bigger since the last edition, and detailed description of access points, both of which can be a bit confusing to newcomers.
Outside of its entry on Reed Canyon, the book also has numerous entries on other great natural areas in Portland, both nearby and far from Reed College. The updated book is available for purchase either via Amazon, or at many local bookstores such as Powells and the Reed College bookstore.
Our own Zac Perry wrote the updated version, working with the author of the entry in the last edition of the book, Bob Sallinger, Reed alum and current employee of the Portland Audobon Society. Bob also wrote a post about the new book.
Of course, this is all just a part of the bigger picture here in Portland – we are blessed with a myriad of green spaces, from the sprawling wilds of Forest Park to the highly ordered displays of the International Rose Test Garden. Portland has just received national honors for overall achievement in its park system, the National Gold Medal Award for Excellence in Park and Recreation. We are blessed to live in such a beautiful city, and doubly so to be recognized as a model for others.
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